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Are you at a risk of contracting mesothelioma?
By
Archana Sarat
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that causes the mesothelium
cells to divide rapidly. This leads to cancer in that body
area. This is visible as tumors, which slowly spread all
throughout the body. Certain risk factors are present
that increase the chances of a person contracting this
disease. Let us analyze each and every one of these risk
factors individually.
Asbestos
Asbestos
is a natural mineral that is found in abundance on earth.
Asbestos is a very strong mineral that is highly resistant
to heat, fire, chemicals and so on. It has low heat
conductivity. Apart from this, asbestos is very flexible
too. This is the reason why various manufacturers hugely
favour asbestos. It is used in § building construction, §
fireproofing, § shipbuilding, § cement pipes and sheets, §
gaskets, § insulation-only to name a few.
The use
of asbestos skyrocketed during the world war period.
Millions of people worldwide were exposed to asbestos. These
innocent people faced irreparable damage. This is because
exposure to asbestos leads to mesothelioma. Let us now see
how this happens. Whenever asbestos is mined, manufactured
or used, lots of asbestos dust is released unto the
atmosphere. This dust is light in weight and invisible to
the human eye. Thus, it becomes easily airborne. Therefore,
it can be easily inhaled by anyone who is exposed to it.
Because of this, the asbestos fibers enter the human body
through the nose or mouth. Once they enter the body, they
travel throughout the body. Many body parts like the lungs,
heart and abdomen have a lining called as the mesothelium
lining. When the asbestos fibers come in contact with the
mesothelium cells, the mesothelium cells go bonkers!
They
start to multiply rapidly and also, outlive the other cells.
This leads to tumors in that area, which may also spread to
other parts of the body. This terrible condition is called
as mesothelioma. It has no known cure. The worst part is
that even a single exposure to a small quantity of asbestos
can lead to this terrible disease. This is why, many
countries have banned asbestos manufacture and use. The
other countries that are yet to take significant action in
this regard should wake up soon to the hazards of asbestos.
Radiation
In x-ray
tests, a substance called as Thorium dioxide or Thorotrast
is used. Researchers have proved that this substance has led
to a significant increase in the cases of pleural and
peritoneal mesothelioma (i.e. lung and abdomen cancer
respectively). Because of this, the use of Thorium dioxide
has been discontinued.
Zeolite
Zeolite
is a mineral that is very similar to asbestos in chemical
properties, uses and hazards. Zeolite also leads to
mesothelioma.
Tobacco
Smoking
does not lead to mesothelioma directly. However, smokers who
are exposed to asbestos have a higher chance of contracting
mesothelioma as compared to non-smokers. Therefore, all
those who work in asbestos mines and asbestos companies
should definitely give up smoking immediately. Are you at a
risk of contracting mesothelioma? If so, contact your
medical professional immediately for more knowledge and
assistance about mesothelioma.
About
the author: Archana Sarat is a freelance writer who has
undertaken indepth research on mesothelioma. She blogs at
http://mesothelioma-guidance.blogspot.com
To know more about mesothelioma, go to
http://www.rarehope.com
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