Mesothelioma incidence rates may be relatively low, but the extreme harm this disease can cause is high.
Mesothelioma: Your Health In Jeopardy, Even After Many Years
Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed until the later stages of the disease.
Are you at risk of Mesothelioma?
If you are above 40 and have ever been exposed to asbestos continuously for more than 2 months in the last 15-40 years, then you are at risk of Mesothelioma.
It is a rare but deadly cancer of membrane cells, which covers some vital parts of our body like lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart, called mesothelium.
Like in other cancers, in mesothelioma the membrane cells divide ruthlessly causing abnormal growth, which ultimately damages the lining of vital organs such as lungs and abdomen.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Asbestos a mineral, used in different processes including building, shipyard, and manufacturing in the years of World War II and for a few more decades, is the main cause of Mesothelioma.
Researches have proven that those who have worked in asbestos-related industries are most at risk of Mesothelioma.
The minute asbestos particles go into the human body through nose or mouth during inhalation, talking, or any other reason. They reach the lungs or abdomen and damages the lining, causing Mesothelioma.
Even years after exposure?
Unfortunaly, Yes
Due to its long latency period, mesothelioma can attack you even 15 – 40 years after the inhalation of asbestos particles.
Even the family members of the person working in asbestos-related industries could be vulnerable to mesothelioma.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Sometimes cancer causes fluid to collect in the chest or in the abdomen. Signs and symptoms may be caused by fluid, malignant mesothelioma, or other conditions.
Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
• Trouble breathing
• Cough
• Pain under the rib cage
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen
• Lumps in the abdomen
• Constipation
• Problems with blood clots (clots form when they should not)
• Weight loss for no known reason
• Fatigue (feeling very tired)
Treatments for Mesothelioma
Some treatment options for mesothelioma cancers are surgical removal of the affected tissues; chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
However, the prognosis of later stage mesothelioma patients is bleak and the average survival time after diagnosis is 12-24 months.
Mesothelioma Compensations
Many owners of Asbestos-related industries were quite aware of the health hazards of asbestos. However, they persisted with its use without issuing any warnings or taking steps for avoiding health hazards.
This is the reason why U.S. courts have awarded huge sums as compensation to the Mesothelioma patients/families by the companies/persons responsible for causing asbestos exposure.
If there is evidence a defendant (company) actively concealed the dangers of asbestos exposure from the plaintiff (victim), the defendant’s potential financial liability could be high.
A lawsuit could take years?
Unfortunaly, Yes
A lawsuit takes time. There are many processes involved – research, preparation, filing, response, discovery, trial, appeal. It can go on for some time.
However in most cases, mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court. This process can be faster.
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