Mesothelioma Risk Factors

risk factor for developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos refers to a family of fibrous minerals made of silicate.

Asbestos was once used in many products such as insulation, floor tiles, door gaskets, soundproofing, roofing, patching compounds, fireproof gloves and ironing board covers, and even brake pads.

As the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has become well known, the use of this material has almost stopped.

Most use stopped after 1989, but it is still used in some products.

Experts have linked this drop in asbestos use to the fact that the rate of development of mesothelioma is no longer increasing.

The risk of developing a mesothelioma is related to how much asbestos a person was exposed to and how long this exposure lasted. People exposed at an early age, for a long period of time, and at higher levels are most likely to develop this cancer. Mesotheliomas take a long time to develop. The time between first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually between 20 and 50 years.

Mesothelioma is an unusual, but no longer seldom cancer that is difficult to diagnose, treat, and responds poorly to therapy. Mesothelioma is a cancer in which cancerous or malignant cells appear around the heart, chest or abdominal region of the body. It is believed the main cause is exposure to asbestos. Infact, it takes about 30-40 years after asbestos exposure, for mesothelioma symptoms to occur.

There are several risk factors for mesothelioma. A risk factor is something that increases the chance that a person may develop a disease. Having a risk factor does not guarantee a person will develop mesothelioma, it only increases the risk of developing it.

The combination of tobacco smoking and exposure to asbestos can greatly increase the risk factor for developing mesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, no studies currently link smoking alone to mesothelioma.

Because it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, anyone who has been exposed should be evaluated by a physician experienced in this form of cancer. Even if you are not ill, you should learn about your legal rights in case mesothelioma is found in

Keep in mind that mesothelioma is a very slow moving disease. People usually do not develop symptoms for decades after being exposed to asbestos.