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In an age where we are getting more educated about our health, understanding the implications of environmental exposures has become increasingly important.
One such exposure, asbestos, has been linked to a particularly aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma. In this blog, we will be covering what Mesothelioma is, how it is caused and what the symptoms are.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lungs; it is normally caused by past exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma develops in the fluid between the cells that line the inside of your rib cage and outside of the lungs (pleural space). The cancer cells grow and increase within the chest and form tumours.
These tumours cause the lining or pleural membrane to become thicker and form plaque. Mesothelioma can sometimes affect other organs of the body, but this isn’t as common.
Mesothelioma symptoms usually develop over time. It can take tens of years after exposure to asbestos for them to appear. Symptoms include chest pain, tiredness, a persistent cough and shortness of breath. Those affected may also experience a high temperature, loss of appetite and swollen fingers.
Mesothelioma is a fatal asbestos related disease. The disease takes around 2.500 lives per year and isn’t picked up very easily by doctors in the early stages. The obvious symptoms only occur later on in the progression of the disease. Only half of the cases recorded lived up to at least a year after diagnosis and 10% reached at least five years.
Both diseases are related to asbestos exposure and occur in the chest and lungs. Although this is the case, the development of each disease is very different. Mesothelioma produces plaque within the Pleura, where asbestos scars the lung tissue and doesn’t develop any tumours.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that arises in the mesothelial tissue throughout the body, whereas asbestosis is not a form of cancer and only affects the respiratory system. Both diseases are incurable, but where mesothelioma patients have a life expectancy of 1-2 years, asbestosis patients can survive for decades with treatment.
Treatment options for both diseases are also very different. A mesothelioma patient will have to go through anti-cancer therapy treatments, depending on the stage. They will most likely go under surgery if it is an early-stage diagnosis.
The usual treatment for asbestosis is surgery. The usual surgical procedure would be to help the patient breathe by draining the fluid from the lungs. Patients may also receive breathing treatments, oxygen and antibiotics.
Before the banning of asbestos in 1999, asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry. However, this hazardous substance still features in many buildings meaning there is an ongoing risk to those who work in asbestos-exposed environments.
Given the ongoing risk of asbestos exposure, it is crucial for those working in construction or housing to receive training in asbestos awareness and safe asbestos removal practices.
Because the disease takes many decades to develop, people who worked with asbestos many years ago are at a higher risk. Cases are likely to reduce over time due to better practice when working with asbestos and the banning of the substance in the late ’90s.
People can also carry asbestos in their clothes. Therefore, people who lived with someone who worked with asbestos are also at risk. A great example of this case is Mavis Nye. Mavis Nye and her husband both contracted the disease and shared their story with 3B.
The UKATA Asbestos Awareness Course can give those who work in potentially hazardous environments the knowledge and skills necessary to identify asbestos-containing materials, understand the associated health risks, and implement safe practices to minimise exposure.
This training not only enhances workplace health and safety but also ensures compliance with legal regulations regarding asbestos handling and removal.
There is also the UKATA Asbestos Awareness Online Course which offers the same comprehensive training in a convenient, flexible format to fit around your schedule.
Overall, by increasing our awareness, we can progress toward creating a safer environment with fewer hazards, ultimately leading to a substantial reduction in asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.
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