Your Edu

Asbestos Disease Risk

Asbestos disease risk, is the risk of serious disease after inhaling asbestos dust. In industry, they separate and process asbestos fibers into new compounds and textures, forming a microscopic dust.

If inhaled, it can collect in the lungs, stomach or other organs and eventually lead to the development of serious, life threatening asbestos diseases. A mesothelioma prognosis is almost never favourable.

Asbestos Products Risk

Asbestos products risk? The Silent Killer Stalking? The risk of mesothelioma lung cancer from asbestos insulation, asbestos siding, asbestos tile, asbestos flooring, and a host of other products exist everywhere around us.

Asbestos was not only cheap to buy, but it is also pliable and sometimes, soft like cotton. Some forms of asbestos fibers have cloth-like qualities.

Asbestos fibers can therefore be easily woven into fireproof protection apparel for rescue officials and firefighters. Items for other professionals and workers, who are exposed to high heat, are also manufactured, creating asbestos products risk.

Its industrial properties was in strong demand during the industrial revolution. An estimated 4,000 products made during the 1900s contained asbestos fibers

Asbestos Risk Assessment

You need specialist advisors to perform an asbestos risk assessment in managing and preventing mesothelioma injury. Their asbestos testing protocol and results are also invaluable for mesothelioma research projects.

All entries in a company's asbestos register become vital in the event that you receive a call from an asbestos lawyer who works on a mesothelioma claim.

City and town management are increasingly being held responsible for asbestos exposure in the areas under their management.

It is expected that the focus in this regard will soon expand to seaside venues. Asbestos used to be the building material of choice close to the oceans.

Asbestos Risk Management

Asbestos risk management is the legal responsibility of every manager or owner of a business, or landlord. Asbestos mesothelioma law is clear i.t.o. management's responsibility.

There is an increased global effort to minimise asbestos exposure, cut down on mesothelioma injury and asbestosis mesothelioma.

This was driven in part by the large asbestos settlements granted in mesothelioma lawsuits.

Early in the 1970s we saw the first drafts of mesothelioma cancer law accepted by various regulating bodies of developed countries internationally.

However in a country like South Africa, laws were only made in 2008 to finally control the mining and manufacturing of asbestos products.

Most asbestos products are reasonably safe if it is kept undisturbed, painted and well maintained. However, most people will be surprised to notice the large number of asbestos products in their living and work environments, that are poorly maintained.

Pieter Pepler is a management consultant to small and medium enterpises. He has a keen interest in in health aspects and spends much of his time researching and writing about the causes and alternative treatment options for the natural treatment of various chronic diseases.

His work on asbestos mesothelioma risk and related research is published on his Mesothelioma-Junction.com [http://www.diagnosis-malignant-mesothelioma-prognosis-claims-settlement.com] website.

Mesothelioma, a disease linked to asbestos exposure, is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are located in the Mesothelium - a shielding sac that covers a large amount of the body's internal organs. Malignant pericardial, malignant pleural and malignant peritoneal Mesothelioma are the three main types of Mesothelioma cancer. The peritoneal form involves the tissue covering the abdominal cavity and the pleural form involves the sac that protects the pleural cavity around the lungs.

Mesothelioma is frequently mistaken for lung cancer. Generally the symptoms of mesothelioma can include: cough, shortness of breath, husky voice, and difficulty in breathing, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain and swelling, chest pain, anemia, insomnia, loss of appetite, cachexia, fatigue, weight loss, and fluid in the abdomen or chest. It is not easy to properly diagnose mesothelioma since numerous symptoms can be confused with other illnesses such as flu, bronchitis, pneumonia and heart disease.

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. No amount of asbestos exposure is harmless. Some mesothelioma victims have experienced occupational exposure to asbestos over a long period of time. An example would be a plumber, boilermaker or HVAC repairmen in the 1960's; a time when many of the parts and equipment contained some asbestos. Some mesothelioma victims were exposed in a "secondary fashion" from the clothes of the person who was directly exposed. An example of this would be a woman who washes her husband's work clothes and inadvertently inhales or ingests some of the microscopic asbestos fibers. A third category of victim would be someone who was exposed to only small amounts of asbestos through casual contact with an asbestos containing product. All forms of exposure can cause mesothelioma.

Today, there is still not a complete ban on asbestos containing products in the U.S. The EPA has, however, put in certain limits on the amount of asbestos that is permitted in some products. Nonetheless, because of the costs of litigation, many manufacturers of asbestos containing products have voluntarily removed asbestos from their products. Products from other countries, however, may still contain asbestos. For example, recent testing by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization found asbestos in children's toys coming from China.

Typically, 20 to 50 years elapse between asbestos exposure and the diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer. This latency period varies by individual but is the reason that mesothelioma typically strikes seniors.

Although mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive cancer there are treatment options available including: standard therapies - surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, alternative or complimentary therapies and clinical trials. Clinical trials are a broad category that includes various types of treatments that are being tested. Currently these therapies include: Monoclonal Antibody Approaches, Anti-angiogenesis Drugs, Vaccine Approaches - Immunotherapies, and other "biological modifiers."

There is a lot of disheartening Mesothelioma News and information on the internet regarding mesothelioma survival rate. Despite this pessimism, there are a few long term mesothelioma survivors including: Stephen Jay Gould, Rhio O'Connor, Paul Kraus, and others. In fact, Paul Kraus wrote an inspirational book about his recovery from mesothelioma titled "Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide." Today, "Surviving Mesothelioma" is the best-selling mesothelioma book in the world, according to a testimonial from a former brain surgeon. This Mesothelioma book has all the information a cancer patient needs to learn what survival behavior is all about.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

After you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, choosing which mesothelioma doctor you will trust your care to is one of several important decisions that must be made. The tips below offer guidelines for finding a mesothelioma doctor who can meet your needs, ensure that you get the best possible care, and help you through this difficult time.

Tip 1: Find a Doctor who has Experience Treating Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Cases

Mesothelioma cancer is a relatively rare disease and not all doctors are knowledgeable regarding asbestos exposure, diagnosing mesothelioma, and the types of mesothelioma treatment. It is important for mesothelioma patients to find a doctor who has experience treating patients with this disease, particularly if they are interested in exploring some of the newer and non-traditional forms of mesothelioma treatment. There are several ways that you can find mesothelioma doctors, including the following:

Ask your primary care physician to refer you to a mesothelioma specialist
Contact an organization such as the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation or the American Cancer Society and ask if they can provide assistance
Ask any friends, family members, or coworkers who have dealt with a mesothelioma diagnosis if they can recommend a doctor.
Remember that every mesothelioma case is different and every patient has their own unique set of needs and concerns. You may have to consult with several mesothelioma doctors before you find one that you are comfortable with.

Tip 2: Ask the Right Questions

Before choosing a mesothelioma specialist, you should talk to the doctor and ask questions in order to learn about his or her background and qualifications. This can also help you get a sense of the doctor's personality and character. Listed below are three key questions that you should ask a mesothelioma doctor that you are considering going to for treatment:

How many cases of mesothelioma cancer have you treated in your career?
What kind of specialized education, training, and certification have you received related to mesothelioma and asbestos cancer?
What kinds of mesothelioma treatment options can you provide?
It is important to find a mesothelioma doctor who you trust to provide the highest level of care possible. You need to be comfortable communicating with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have regarding your mesothelioma treatment. It can be very helpful if your family has a good relationship with the doctor as well, particularly if your family members are taking an active role in your treatment.

Mesothelioma and asbestosis, the scarring diseases caused from asbestos exposure, typically take years to fester within a body before symptoms become visible. Filling your lungs with smoke if you've been exposed to asbestos will hasten asbestos disease and expose you to additional medical testing to properly diagnose your disease. It will also take years off of your life.

Asbestos and smoke are a deadly combination that hastens the onset of painful and fatal lung cancers.

Lung diseases such as asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural disease, lung cancer and mesothelioma are caused by asbestos. The symptoms of these asbestos caused diseases are so similar to the lung diseases and cancers caused by smoking, that proper diagnosis is difficult. Treatment for mesothelioma or other asbestos caused diseases begin too late because of earlier misdiagnosis. With most cancers, and mesothelioma treatment in particular, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to survival. A late diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma because an asbestos caused disease was mistaken for a smoking-related disease can take years off of your life, and lead to harsh and painful living during your last few years.

Medical research has also shown that smoking will hasten the attack of mesothelioma because of the internal damage caused by the toxic elements of cigarettes. Cigarette toxins eat away at your lungs. Asbestos fibers can then gain early entry into your vulnerable lungs and quickly take over or assist the cigarette toxins in creating your lung disease or cancer. Not smoking will not protect you from asbestos disease or mesothelioma, but it can reduce the severity and pain of mesothelioma and other asbestos caused diseases - and add years on to your life. If you don't smoke and you have had exposure to asbestos, diagnosis will be swifter and you will be subject to less medical testing. Your chances of developing secondary lung diseases are substantially reduced.

Mesothelioma symptoms and lung disease symptoms from smoking typically both start with shortness of breath and trouble breathing. A productive cough typically follows, and the shortness of breath and the productive cough slowly worsen and persist. Because mesothelioma symptoms progress slowly, there is time to make a proper diagnosis if early treatment is sought. If the symptoms are ignored and are merely accepted as a side-effect of smoking, the disease has more time to become uncontrollable, and the asbestos disease will soon have control over you.

Mesothelioma affects the lining of internal organs, in a membrane called the mesothelium - hence the cancer name mesothelioma. This membrane does not affect just your lungs, it can affect most of your internal organs. Once mesothelioma symptoms of the lungs surface, such as breathing difficulties and productive coughs, the next step is typically an attack around the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms will then include chest pain, along with respiratory problems. This too can be misinterpreted as a sign of a smoking related disease, or a sign of old age or other heart and lung ailments. Mesothelioma is rare, and doctors will test according to the most likely disease to occur based on the symptoms. Because of that, it is very important to mention to your doctor your exposure to asbestos at your first visit.

Mesothelioma symptoms are slow to surface, and difficult to diagnose. Smoking while being exposed to asbestos will make proper diagnosis of mesothelioma difficult, and proper treatment may come too late to be of any benefit other than pain reduction and respiratory control. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos, not cigarettes - but cigarettes will make your mesothelioma worse. Don't let the fibers of asbestos and the toxins of cigarettes team up on your lungs. Quit smoking and stay away from asbestos. If you must be exposed to asbestos, wear proper protection and don't smoke. Don't rush the disease, diagnose it. And you can't diagnose the disease fast enough unless you quit smoking.

The website provides mesothelioma [http://www.asbestosis-mesothelioma.com] information, such as

mesothelioma symptoms, mesothelioma treatments and mesothelioma stages. The site also provided details

Learning of a mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating for both mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial issues resulting from this condition is often extremely taxing and can leave mesothelioma patients feeling anxious and overwhelmed. In order to help individuals with mesothelioma cancer cope with challenges associated with their disease, mesothelioma support groups have been established throughout the country. The purpose of these organizations is to provide an opportunity for members to share their experiences, learn from one another, and gain comfort from knowing that they are not alone in their struggle with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma cancer support groups can vary in the way that they are run and the types of things that they focus on, so it is important to find a group that meets your needs and matches your personality. For example, some groups are run by a health care professional, such as a psychologist or social worker. Other groups, known as peer groups or self-help groups, are led by group members who have no special medical training. Some mesothelioma support organizations are more structured and focused on practical matters related to the disease, such as how to manage the negative side effects of mesothelioma treatments. Other groups choose to emphasize emotional support and the sharing of personal experiences. If you are a mesothelioma patient who is interested in joining a mesothelioma support group, you may have to go to a few different meetings in order to find a group that you are comfortable with.

There are several options for finding a mesothelioma support group in your area. First, you can ask your mesothelioma doctor if he or she has any suggestions about local groups you can join. Second, try consulting with the nurses or social workers at your mesothelioma treatment center to see if they can provide you with information about local mesothelioma support programs. Third, check with your mesothelioma hospital's social services department and find out if they can give you a list of cancer support programs in the area. Finally, some individuals with mesothelioma find ways to connect with other mesothelioma patients by using the Internet. Joining an online cancer support group or posting on a mesothelioma message board can help mesothelioma patients connect with other people affected by this disease.

Dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis is never easy, but there are sources of support available for mesothelioma patients. Joining a mesothelioma support group may not be for everyone, but for many patients, these organizations provide invaluable comfort and assurance during this difficult period. In addition to support groups, family members, friends, and religious leaders are often an important source of support for mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma Cancer

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a serious malignant tumor that affects the torso of the human body. There is a strong link between mesothelioma and contact with asbestos particles via breathing or swallowing.

There are three common forms of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of Mesothelioma. It starts in the chest cavity (after breathing the particles) before spreading to other areas.

2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma starts in the abdomen (after swallowing the particles) and accounts for about 10-20% of Mesothelioma patients.

3. Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rarest form of Mesothelioma. It starts in the cavity that surrounds the heart.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose early on because the symptoms are often mistaken for those of other, less serious ailments. To make matters worse, it often takes many years for the symptoms to show up after the contact with asbestos takes place. Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to thirty-forty years, and many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are now displaying symptoms. This means the average age of mesothelioma patients is between 50 and 70 years. Men are typically affected more, because of the common presence of asbestos in industrial settings. There are three major types of malignant mesothelioma. Epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most common. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to respiratory distress, a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In addition, symptoms are often mistaken for less serious ailments, and many patients do not show any signs at all.

Individuals with pleural mesothelioma may amass some fluid between the lung lining and chest cavity. This can be detected through a chest x-ray, as well as CT scans.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a biopsy. This exam will test a tissue sample for the presence of malignant and/or pleural mesothelioma.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the principal cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is a type of insulation material, which was commonly utilized in the past in the following industries:

Steel Workers

Brake Mechanics

Insulators

Boilermakers

Ship fitters

Maintenance Workers

Pipe Fitters

Construction industry

Shipbuilding industry

Automotive industry

Other manufacturing industries

Mesothelioma appears most often in people who worked in the above industries and were exposed to asbestos in their workplace. The utilization of asbestos was very prevalent after 1940's. However it would take 10-40 years after the first exposure for the first symptoms of mesothelioma to become noticeable, which made it very difficult to diagnose. The peak in mesothelioma cases is projected to be reached near year 2010 according to studies. There are three frequently used types of asbestos: white, brown, and blue. Brown and blue asbestos are more frequently associated with mesothelioma. These types of asbestos have been restricted by most countries in the 1990s. A record of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases.

Asbestos is a very dangerous material and can cause serious damage to your health. It is made up of very minute fibers, which can find their way to pleura (outside lining of the lung) and damage the cells pleura are made of. These fibers can also be passed on to clothing, which makes them dangerous not only to the person exposed to asbestos, but to their family members as well.

Smoking

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure drastically increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not materialize until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling because of a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Once Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the likelihood of recovery varies according to several factors, including the size and location of the tumor, how much it has spread, and the age of the patient.

In general, the earlier that Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the greater the likelihood of survival. If you feel that you have experienced any of the typical Mesothelioma symptoms, pay a visit to your doctor for professional advice.

Mesothelioma diagnosis

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often complicated, because the symptoms are similar to those of several other conditions. Diagnosis begins with an assessment of the patient's medical history, as well as any history of asbestos exposure. A physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is found. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lit tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage and extent of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a precise effort to find out whether the cancer has proliferated and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has extended beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

Mesothelioma treatment

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general well being. Typical treatment options consist of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Surgery is a frequent treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from moving materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of applying chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

To ease symptoms and control discomfort, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has accumulated in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be administered through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be beneficial in alleviating symptoms.

Note of Urgency

Mesothelioma is a life-threatening disease and cannot be left untreated. The sooner it is diagnosed the better a patient's chances are of fighting this deadly cancer. Please contact a qualified doctor immediately if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

BY JOSHUA KENNON

If You Don't Leave a Will When You Die, Your Assets May Be Subject to the Laws of intestate Succession

Even If You Don't Leave a Will, Certain Assets and Accounts Will By-Pass Intestate Succession Rules and Probate