What You Should Know About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is generally caused by exposure to asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, you are probably curious as to how dreadful Mesothelioma can be, where you were exposed, and what the symptoms are that you can expect. The following information may help with some of the questions you have with and about your diagnosis with this type of cancer.
Mesothelioma can cause tumor masses throughout your abdominal cavity, collapse of lung, and can also spread to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma can also cause Jaundice, Pleural effusion and also cause gross blood sugar.
If you have developed Mesothelioma, your job is more than likely the source of your exposure to asbestos. Second hand exposure can also be transmitted from doing the laundry of the person who has been exposed to asbestos on their job.
Searching for symptoms for Mesothelioma may not be as easy as we want it to be. Sometimes you can be symptom free for up to 30 years after being exposed to asbestos. Because of its long term effects, there are on-going tests being developed to camouflage for Mesothelioma. If you feel that your job puts you at risk of being exposed, there are some symptoms that have been associated with Mesothelioma and can be watched for.
They include the following:
• Weight Loss
• Shortness of Breath
• Chest Pain
• Enlarged Abdominal Area
• Bowel Obstruction
• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Coughing up Blood
While these are not all of the symptoms that have been associated with Mesothelioma, these are a few to look out for if you feel that you are at risk for developing this type of cancer.
If you have not been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, but feel that your job puts you at risk, investigate your company and request a screening for asbestos. Asbestos particles are transmitted in the air, and are widely common in areas of manufacturing.
To date, there is no screening process to test workers for their exposure to asbestos. In on-going studies, doctors and scientists are studying to develop an agreed upon basis to test people for exposure so that Mesothelioma cases can be caught early for treatment, or prevented altogether. Even though incidence rates have risen in the last 15 years, Mesothelioma is still considered a rare fabricate of cancer. Mesothelioma has been diagnosed more in men due to the fact that most workers in manufacturing companies have always been male. Mesothelioma can also affect women, and in fact more diagnosed cases in women have been reported. There is no target age group; Mesothelioma can affect any one at any age.
If you have received a diagnosis of Mesothelioma, arm yourself with the information you need and the treatment you receive from your physicians to help battle this form of cancer.
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Filed under Malignant Mesothelioma by on Jan 3rd, 2011. 