Compared to other types of cancer,
pleural mesothelioma
is rare, but for seniors from certain professional backgrounds, it is a serious risk.
The cancer usually does not develop until late in life. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, an occupational hazard of various trades. Because of this disease’s rarity and its seemingly innocuous early symptoms, it is often mistaken for a more common respiratory illness at first. Regular screening and specialized medical care are vital to effective treatment.
What is pleural mesothelioma?
When microscopic
asbestos
fibers are inhaled, they get lodged in the lining of the lungs (the pleura), where they cause scarring and inflammation over years, eventually damaging cells on the genetic level.
It can take anywhere between 10 and 50 years for cancer to develop following asbestos exposure. The typically long latency period means pleural mesothelioma predominantly affects seniors.
Once it develops, pleural mesothelioma is usually malignant, spreading quickly to other areas of the body. The average one-year survival rate for patients is about 40 percent, but the prognosis is often better when the disease is caught in an early stage.
What are the risk factors?
Historically, most exposure to asbestos has happened on the job. Asbestos was a common ingredient in many construction materials and types of insulation from the 1930s to the 1980s. Any tradesman involved in construction, demolition or repair work on materials from this era was at risk of exposure.
Asbestos was also prevalent on military ships, aircraft and bases, putting
veterans
at high risk. Many mechanics have a history of occupational exposure due to asbestos used in certain machine parts such as brake pads and clutches for cars.
Firefighters and other first responders are especially endangered by the large amount of airborne asbestos released when fire damages or destroys old buildings.
People can also be exposed to asbestos if they live near a mining site or they perform their own home renovations. Secondhand exposure from work clothing contaminated by asbestos is possible as well.
Beyond exposure to asbestos, the same health factors that increase the risk of lung cancer — smoking foremost among them — also increase the risk of pleural mesothelioma.
What are the warning signs?
The initial symptoms are chronic coughing, chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath and muscle weakness.
Because pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease, people often dismiss these symptoms as the effects of a common virus or simply the onset of old age. Even many doctors misdiagnose this illness if they are unfamiliar with it or unaware of the patient’s history of asbestos exposure.
For this reason, the most proactive course of action is to get annual screening for asbestos-related illness if a person’s work experience put him or her at risk of exposure.
What do we do after a diagnosis?
If your loved one is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, specialized medical care is essential. Seek out doctors and medical professionals who are knowledgeable about this rare disease. You should also research whether experimental treatments are available through clinical trials at cancer centers.
As the symptoms worsen, your loved one will require more and more support. Consider hiring a professional caregiving service to ease the burden on your family and improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Finally, if your loved one was exposed to asbestos in his or her line of work, financial compensation may be available through
lawsuits
or special trust funds created for the victims of occupational exposure.