Understanding The Relation Between Asbestos Exposure And Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

by E-NewsCast Team
February 1st, 2010

An understanding of asbestos is necessary before we try tounderstand mesothelioma lung cancer. Asbestos, a natural fibrousmineral, used commonly in construction process and manufacturingindustries is detrimental to human health. Continuous inhalationof its fibers enhances the susceptibility to respiratorydisorders and can lead to many dangerous diseases. A leadingexample of such dangerous disease is Mesothelioma lung cancer.Actually, mesothelioma lung cancer is misnomer becausemesothelioma cancers affect the lining of lungs (pleura) andabdomen and not the lungs. Since mesothelioma cancers mostlyaffect the lining of the lungs, it is generally calledmesothelioma lung cancer. The workers who had worked inindustries such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and asbestosproduction are vulnerable to mesothelioma cancers. Mesothelioma and the Role of Carcinogens: What is mesothelioma cancer and how does the lining of the lungbecome cancerous? Cancer is a tumor that is malignant in nature.Tumor is formed when there is abnormal cell division and cellmultiplication in the cancerous cells. Exposure to carcinogensor cancer-causing material like cigarette smoke, asbestos andsilica dust is instrumental in this abnormal cell division andformation of tumor. Mesothelioma cancer is directly linked to asbestos exposure.However, those already exposed to asbestos have a greater chanceof developing lung cancer if they are exposed to othercarcinogens such as cigarette smoke. A study reports that theworkers with a history of asbestos exposure and cigarette smokeare more prone to lung cancer than the non-smokers and thosewith no history of asbestos exposure. Complications Associated with Mesothelioma Cancer: Normally, the latency stage for asbestos-related diseases ingeneral and mesothelioma cancers of the lining of lung inparticular, 20-50 years, which makes detection of Mesothelioma acomplicated issue. This situation is further aggravatedparticularly where the worker is also addicted to cigarettesmoking. By the time, the disease shows its symptoms, aconsiderable exposure to additional carcinogens linked tocigarette smoking has already taken place. This makes a workermore vulnerable to lung cancer besides the vulnerability tomesothelioma cancers. Mesothelioma Cancers and Legal Redress: The Government is conscious of the ill effects of asbestosexposure and the seriousness of mesothelioma cancer. Theemployees working in factories with significant risk of asbestosexposure are eligible for Mesothelioma compensation, if theexposure is the cause of Mesothelioma. There has been a spate oflawsuits for seeking compensation for mesothelioma and lungcancers. In many cases, the courts have awarded heavy sums ascompensation against the asbestos manufacturing companies.

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