Since 2005, awareness of exposure to asbestos is increasing. The exposure to asbestos fibers can cause severe illness, including the malevolent lung cancer which is formally called mesothelioma. In this disease, cells of the mesothelium happen to irregular and split without any order. It then damages the nearby tissues and organs.
The element asbestos occurs naturally in the silicate minerals. It includes chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite asbestos and some of others elements that are chemically misused and are hazardous. Asbestos is commonly exposed to job workers or employees at work, particularly increasing among manufacturers and builders. Job workers are at high risk of developing mesothelioma.
The foremost reason for mesothelioma is the usage and working with asbestos. Asbestos is an element mostly used commercially because of its enviable physical properties, such that it is used in some products because of its heat resistance characteristic. Industries use it on woven and thread fiber for thin separation. It is also applied on many products like cement, brake linings, roof sands, flooring yields, textiles, and insulation.
There are some very dangerous asbestos exposures to workers. Inhalation during the manufacturing of these products can cause cancer and the dangerous attribute is its invisible symptoms, which may not appear until after almost 30 years exposure to asbestos. Weight loss, shortness in breath and pain in chest are common symptoms of it and it is recommended to consult with a doctor.
Although reported, but the exposure to asbestos is still growing and new cases of this disease are diagnosed each year. The common risk factors grow with age.
The main issue about exposure to asbestos is how to diagnose? Often, it is difficult because of the common and similar symptoms of other ill conditions. A complete physical test is preferred by oncologist which includes; x-rays, CT scan or MRI test. If mesothelioma is diagnosed then surgeons check its stage and its location on the membrane surface or other parts of the body, such as lungs, chest wall or abdominal organs.
The crucial query comes that how to treat the disease from asbestos exposure? There are standard treatments of this disease which comprise of; surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or sometimes combination of these treatments is applied on the patient. Cancer specialists treat it according to the extent and location in the body. As these treatments are very hard so the mind moves towards the latest treatment. Yes, new treatments and better ways are introduced for the treatment and healing, but they are in trial phase.
At present, exposure to asbestos is banned internationally. Now, how we can get more information and alerts on safety and health? We all should keep others aware from this very hazardous illness and we can help each other by making awareness of asbestos exposure. We should also explain the damages and complications in mesothelioma patients and its risks to their families. The workers should be provided excellent working conditions. Health and safety is the right of every worker at the workplace.