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.

---

Screening for Mesothelioma

Doctor appointments are critical to make sure you're staying in proper health. However, exposure to asbestos presents an added urgency for routine appointments. Because asbestos related diseases... Read More

Your Mesothelioma Case

Your Mesothelioma case is important to you. You have been robbed of years of your life because of someone's negligence. The question is what are you going... Read More

Lung Cancer: The Bad and the Worse

In terms of deaths caused by various forms of cancer, lung cancer ranks second only to breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute recently reported that an estimated... Read More

Asbestos - Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral found in the ground and mined all over the world. It is so small it can only be identified under... Read More

Mesothelioma Help

According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is a malignant cancer of the pleura, the peritoneum, and the pericardium (the sacs lining the chest, abdominal cavity and... Read More

What You Need To Know About Lung Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. A leading cause... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed: Dealing With Emotions

People deal with and react to having cancer in different ways. There really isn't a right or wrong way to behave or feel regarding this disease and... Read More

Beryllium The New Asbestos?

It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb who became the first industrial victims of beryllium, a rare but especially light, stable and strong metal... Read More

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. However, they may have been been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in... Read More

Mesothelioma Treatment

Like all other types of cancer, mesothelioma is incurable. Although doctors and scientists have made a great deal of progress for diagnosing and treating these malignancies, there... Read More

The Facts About Lung Cancer - Better To Be Aware

Keep yourself abreast of facts about lung cancer, as the statistics of affliction are staggering and in most cases, lung cancer can even be prevented. Cancer, the... Read More

Mesothelioma - an Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer located in the lining of either the lungs, abdomen or the heart. These linings are thin layers of tissue covering the... Read More

The Asbestos Disaster - Who Is To Blame

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were all aware of the health dangers of asbestos. It seems strange that the asbestos industry in many parts of the... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer - What to Tell Children

The amount of information you should give them depends on their age and how grown up they are. Being honest is one thing but giving them all... Read More

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an extremely nasty and permanent cancer that infects the membrane surrounding most internal organs. It is also a very subtle form of cancer providing only... Read More

How to Tell if You Have Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma - Symptoms and SolutionsSymptoms of Mesothelioma can be latent in the body for years. And even when the symptoms do become evident, the symptoms are so... Read More

Asbestos Killed My Husband

He was only a child when it begun -and he played as children do- in his yard with his toy cars and tip trucks But his sand... Read More

Who is at Increased Risk For Developing Mesothelioma?

Since the late 1800's Asbestos has been mined and used commercially. The use of Asbestos dramatically increased during World War II and since the early 1940's millions... Read More

Coping With Cancer-A Family View

An often forgotten feature of dealing with cancer is what I call 'after the event'. That is, when your loved one has passed on. The coming months... Read More

Mesothelioma Book - Review

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes Lorraine Kember (2003) 130pp.ISBN 0 646 49969 6As Janet Craven, palliative care nurse, and Andrew Dean, palliative care physician... Read More

Lung Cancer-Non-Smokers at Risk!

Most of us non-smokers feel we've got little to worry about when it comes to lung cancer. After all, isn't it the disease of smokers? According to... Read More

Asbestos - The Silent Killer

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People who have worked with the material are at serious risk from developing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma,... Read More

Lung Cancer 101 What You Need to Know About

Accounting about for 14% of all cancers and 28% of all cancer deaths, Lung Cancer is now the major cause of deaths (of both men and women)... Read More

Asbestos Litigation ? Some Basic Facts About The Process

When Should I Consult an Asbestos Attorney?If asbestos diseases have adversely affected you or a family member then you should consult an asbestos attorney regarding litigation. Asbestos... Read More

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces... Read More

L&S Announce Steps to Protect Against Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Lewis and Sholnick have announced the publication of some simple precautionary steps can be taken to avoid high risk situations in regards to asbestos and mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is... Read More