Mesothelioma Statistics & Facts
Mesothelioma Symptoms
A patient with
mesothelioma often
demonstrates symptoms 15 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. The
cancer may take decades to develop in the body and symptoms do not arise until
after the cancer is present. Many patients are unaware of the severity of their
condition since mesothelioma symptoms typically resemble symptoms of less
serious illnesses.
If you have a history of
asbestos exposure, the
leading cause of
mesothelioma, it is best to seek immediate medical advice. Informing your doctor
of previous asbestos exposure can alert them to the possibility of an
asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.
Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Unfortunately, there are practically no early symptoms
of mesothelioma, which is why the disease is commonly diagnosed at a late stage
of development. In the interest of early detection, those who were exposed to
asbestos but have not yet exhibited symptoms should undergo regular chest
X-rays or pulmonary
function tests to monitor any adverse affects of asbestos inhalation.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of
cancer that typically affects the
lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of
mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3
percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs about four times more
frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for
benign mesothelioma,
are invariably fatal.
The
life
expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one
year following diagnosis, however a patient’s prognosis is affected by numerous
factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is
treated.
In an effort to help patients understand mesothelioma,
Asbestos.com offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information
tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top
mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options
to help cover medical costs.
Question the general public about the cancer
known as mesothelioma and you'll probably find that few individuals know little
or anything at all about the disease. However, ask someone who worked with
asbestos and they can probably expound on the dangers of developing the disease
among people in their profession. Mesothelioma, though rare in comparison to
other types of cancer, still remains a serious threat today.
In an effort to help patients understand
mesothelioma, www.asbestos.com offers a complimentary packet that contains
treatment options and other helpful resources tailored to your specific
diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and
cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical
costs.
Mesothelioma & Navy Veterans
From the 1930s through the mid-1970s the U.S. Navy
utilized asbestos-containing
products in its ships, submarines and
shipyards, principally for
the compound's extreme fire resistance. For a time the Navy even mandated the
use of asbestos, employing the deadly substance in more than 300 materials for
construction and repair aboard warships and overhaul at shipyards.
Asbestos
was particularly used in insulation and for any products located in engine
rooms, where heat resistance is of utmost importance. But virtually no section
of a naval ship built before the 1970s is free of asbestos, as it was used in
fire, engine, and boiler rooms, as well as mess halls, sleep quarters, and
navigation rooms. In addition, products such as cables, gaskets, valves,
adhesives and many others contained asbestos.
As early as 1939 the Navy's Surgeon General was aware
that asbestosis was caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. The general's
report covered the health conditions at the
Brooklyn Navy
Yard and revealed the yard's pipe covers and insulators exposed workers to
the caustic asbestos dust.
Despite this knowledge, the Navy continued usage of
asbestos for nearly four decades, proving that industrial production received
higher regard than human safety.
Naval personnel working in the construction, repair,
demolition, and renovation of ships and buildings were
exposed to asbestos, many in
high quantities for extended periods of time. Sailors stationed aboard these
asbestos-laden warships were often showered in asbestos dust. Many recall
sleeping in bunks below asbestos-covered pipes and having to shake the dusty
material of their bunks daily. Due to its jagged atomic structure, asbestos is
very brittle and breaks into particles readily. The tiny particles are
effortlessly inhaled adhere to the internal lining of the lungs, abdomen, and
heart.
Close quarters aboard ships and shipyards inevitably
led to many asbestos materials being struck during normal operations, which
led to the inhalation of the fragile substance and attachment to clothing.
Personnel routinely carried asbestos dust home on their clothes, exposing
family and friends to the toxic compound.
Since the mid-70s, remarkably fewer amounts of
asbestos-containing products are used on new ships. But in the early 1990s,
the Navy began selling dozens of obsolete ships for scrap materials.
Unfortunately, the dismantling of these toxic ships often takes place in
depressed ports, where workers are not trained to handle asbestos and no
protective measures are taken.
Surprisingly, some naval ships still contain
asbestos, as the material may be imbedded in brakes, clutches, gaskets, and
older construction
materials. Regrettably, it seems that until firm and enforced regulations
are implemented on the usage of this deadly substance, asbestos will persist
to infect and damage yet another generation of innocent victims.
The Veterans Assistance Department at
www.asbestos.com is available to provide free assistance to you and can help
you with your Navy Veteran’s Assistance Claim. Our veterans benefit counselors
are extremely knowledgeable and are a valuable resource that can answer your
questions and alleviate any confusion.
Asbestos Exposure in Shipyards
There are certain
occupations that increase
one's risk of asbestos
exposure.
Shipyard
workers who served between World War II and the Korean War were very
likely exposed to asbestos. The material was ideal for use in shipbuilding
because of its ability to resist corrosion and high temperatures. It has been
used as insulation for
boilers, incinerators, hot water pipes and
steam pipes.
The asbestos dust tended to build up around these areas and other inadequately
ventilated parts of the ship, which led to human exposure aboard vessels. For
more information on where asbestos could be found on ships, please fill out
the form on the right to receive an informative packet.
Not only the shipbuilders, but the crews of those
ships and the longshoreman (those who load the ships) were heavily exposed to
asbestos as well. In fact, before the 1980s, many longshoremen probably even
loaded bundles of asbestos onto ships. Before that time, the health risk
associated with asbestos was not known by these workers and no special
precautions were taken to prevent inhalation. Because of this, many shipyard
workers run an increased risk of developing
mesothelioma or other
asbestos-related illnesses.
A study conducted at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
found that 86 percent of shipyard workers with 20 or more years of experience
developed asbestos-related lung disease or
lung cancer. If you
have ever worked in a shipyard or on an old ship and feel you may have been
exposed to asbestos, it is important that you discuss it with your physician.
As with any type of cancer, mesothelioma is most easily treated when it is
caught as early as possible.
For more information about veterans' rights or how to
file an asbestos-related VA claim, please call 800-615-2270 to receive a
comprehensive information packet on all issues surrounding
asbestos exposure and
resulting diseases.
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