Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is on the rise in many countries all around the world. This cancer has a latency period of around twenty to forty years, which means that it can take decades to develop and carriers may not be aware that they have the cancer for many, many years. This cancer can affect the heart, abdominal region, or the lungs, and although there are treatments to ease the symptoms of mesothelioma, there is currently no cure for this form of cancer.
The cause of mesothelioma is exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers, which are swallowed or breathed into the lungs and body through the mouth and nose. The highest risk group when it comes to this cancer is those who have worked with asbestos or asbestos products for many years, particularly those who worked with asbestos up until the mid 1970s. Until this time, the dangers of asbestos were not widely known, and, therefore, there were no regulations in place and no protection for those working with this substance.
Those living in the same household as an asbestos worker may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma through secondary exposure. Many people, such as wives, partners, and even children, may have breathed in asbestos dust and fibers every day for many years as the result of a family member working each day with asbestos. Although not exposed at such high levels as the actual worker, these people may have been exposed for a long enough period for the asbestos dust to have some ill effect.
Environmental exposure to asbestos could also lead to asbestos related illness, although this is a lower risk than for those working with asbestos and those living with these workers. This is because the exposure generally needs to be for long periods or at high levels for it to result in mesothelioma.
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