Mesothelioma - Cancer that Strikes 40 Years Later


Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

In his article called Knee Deep in Asbestos, freelance writer Phil Jones relates how when he was a teenager he worked for a brief time in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. One of the features of daily life was the constant presence of asbestos dust in the air. As Jones writes,

There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked.

This story illustrates a number of the more sinister aspects of the whole mesothelioma story.

First, over the course of many decades, countless workers were placed in work environments where they were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibre with little protection. Their exposure to asbestos fibres was constant and often took place over a very long period of time - in most cases, over many years.

Second, the owners and managers of these work places were often either unaware of the risk of mesothelioma, or they actively attempted to hide or cover up those risks.

Third, since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, there often appeared to be no immediate health risk in these work environments. This made it very difficult for workers or their representatives to make a convincing case that worker health was being sacrificed on the altar of corporate profit.

For more information about mesothelioma, the causes of mesothelioma, the effects of mesothelioma, and the legal courses of action open to mesothelioma victims, visit Mesothelioma Advisors.

Rick Hendershot is a writer and founder of the Linknet Publishing Network. To learn how you can benefit from original articles, and posted around the web, see our program called the Linknet Promote with Articles Program.







Related News



Rosetta Genomics to Present Multiple Posters at the 44th Annual ... - Earthtimes (press release)

Rosetta Genomics to Present Multiple Posters at the 44th Annual ...
Earthtimes (press release), UK -14 hours ago
Rosetta Genomics' scientists investigated the microRNA expression profiles of lung mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma, and the potential of microRNAs as ...

Tom Cruise > CELEBRITY SCIENTOLOGISTS AT RISK FROM ASBESTOS - Contactmusic.com

Contactmusic.com

Tom Cruise > CELEBRITY SCIENTOLOGISTS AT RISK FROM ASBESTOS
Contactmusic.com, UK -May 14, 2008
Dr. Coggins adds, "Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until the victim is no ...


MolMed to present Phase II trial preliminary results for its ... - PharmaLive.com (press release)

MolMed to present Phase II trial preliminary results for its ...
PharmaLive.com (press release), PA -14 hours ago
Currently, single agent Phase II trials are ongoing in colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, small-cell lung cancer and mesothelioma. ...

Government, manufacturers face ¥6.6 billion damages claim - The Japan Times

The Japan Times

Government, manufacturers face ¥6.6 billion damages claim
The Japan Times, Japan -7 hours ago
A total of 172 people, mainly carpenters and plasterers, developed lung cancer, mesothelioma and other diseases after inhaling asbestos at work, ...

Lung cancer patients live longer with Alimta -study - guardian.co.uk

Lung cancer patients live longer with Alimta -study
guardian.co.uk, UK -May 15, 2008
Alimta is approved for a lung tumor called mesothelioma and also as a second-line treatment after progression for non-small-cell lung cancer. ...

KATIE AND TOM IN ASBESTOS TERROR - Ok! Magazine

KATIE AND TOM IN ASBESTOS TERROR
Ok! Magazine, UK -May 15, 2008
If inhaled, asbestos particles can cause a deadly lung cancer called mesothelioma. The Church of Scientology cruise ship is often used to host birthday ...
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise in death scareMyParkMag
Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes In Asbestos ScareEntertainmentwise
all 6 news articles

Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds - Men's News Daily

Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds
Men's News Daily, CA -8 hours ago
Dr. Coggins went on to note that “Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until ...

Cancer Research Group Releases Data - BusinessWeek

Cancer Research Group Releases Data
BusinessWeek -22 hours ago
... with advanced lung cancer. Those patients currently have few options. Alimta won Food & Drug Administration approval four years ago for mesothelioma, ...

Chemo for Mesothelioma Offers Limited Survival Benefits - Forbes

Chemo for Mesothelioma Offers Limited Survival Benefits
Forbes, NY -May 15, 2008
THURSDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- Adding chemotherapy to other treatments being giving to patients with mesothelioma, a lung cancer usually linked to ...

Doubts over asbestos cancer chemo - BBC News

Doubts over asbestos cancer chemo
BBC News, UK -May 15, 2008
"This is mainly because mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lung. This makes it hard to target." Kate Law, Cancer Research UK's director of clinical ...