Important Steps to Prevent Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial
cells around the organs. The mesothelium provides a protective
membranous lining for the internal organs and allows moving organs
(i.e. the heart and the lungs) to glide easily against adjacent
structures. The names of the three regions of mesothelial cells that
provide protective coating are 1) pleura, the sac which surrounds the
lungs; 2) peritoneum, the lining which protects the abdominal cavity;
and 3) pericardium, the sac which surrounds the heart. Three different
types of mesothelioma cancer attack these three different regions.

Pleural mesothelioma: A type of lung cancer which attacks the pleura
surrounding the lungs, this is the most common type of mesothelioma,
affecting approximately two-thirds of all mesothelioma patients.
Symptoms include horseness, fever, blood in sputum, swollen arms and
face, coughing, loss of weight, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weak
muscles, and reduced tactile sensitivity.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: A cancer of the abdomen which attacks the
peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity. This affects approximately
one-third of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include abdominal
bloating, impaired bowl function, fever, swollen feet, and nausea.

Pericardial mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma which attacks the
pericardium surrounding the heart is extremely rare. Symptoms include
chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and palpitations.

Mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a type
of building material used in thermal insulation products and ceiling
tiles. In the United States, asbestos usage peaked during the 1950s -
1970s. During the late 1960s, concerns over the health consequences of
asbestos exposure began to arise, thereby decreasing the amount of
asbestos manufactured in next two decades. By the 1980s, a new
industry of asbestos abatement began to flourish. But according to the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as
733,000 schools and public buildings still contain asbestos.

Small asbestos fibers that enter the air do not evaporate and can
remain suspended in the air for a long time. These fibers, when
breathed into the body, are toxic. There are three types of asbestos
exposure.

Occupational asbestos exposure: People working in factories that
manufacure asbestos are likely to have a high exposure to asbestos and
are most at risk of developing asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Paraoccupational asbestos exposure: Family members of workers exposed
to asbestos in the workplace are susceptible to exposure from asbestos
dust brought home by the worker on his clothes or skin.

Neighborhood asbestos exposure: Those who live in the vicinity of an
asbestos manufacturing plant are also at risk.

Mesothelioma is still a relatively rare form of cancer. There are an
estimated 2,000 - 3,000 new cases per year in the United States.
Approximately 7-13 per one million male patients with a history of
asbestos exposure contract mesothelioma. Diagnosis usually occurs
20-40 years after initial exposure to asbestos.