The Odds of Getting Mesothelioma If Exposed to Asbestos
Unfortunately, the odds of getting mesothelioma if exposed to asbestos is quite high. There are a number of factors that are going to affect the situation though, and the eventual outcome. First, how long was the exposure? Second, how great was the quantity of asbestos fibers that were inhaled? These are the two determining factors concerning how much damage might have been done.
Asbestos is an incredibly harmful substance--not initially, but certainly over time. Asbestos breaks off into tiny little fibers and these fibers enter the lungs, where they stay. Asbestos fibers irritate human lungs, and left there, will create cancerous growth on the inside of the lung lining. This is where the trouble lies. Asbestos fibers, once in the lungs, stay in the lungs because there is no method that is very effective for removing them.
Once these asbestos fibers remain in the lungs, they will begin creating deformation of the lung lining, also known as asbestosis. The next stage of growth, which may take many months or many years to come about, is mesothelioma, also know as cancer of the lung lining. These are deadly health conditions and usually the prognosis is grim.
There are some methods that a medical team can apply to help ease the onset symptoms, but there truly is no 'cure' for mesothelioma. Like other types of cancer, there are no cures, however there are treatments that can be used to help eradicate the cancerous growth. The difficult, however, lies with the fact that these treatments are harmful to the body being applied to. It is trying to fix one while harming the other, and not ideal of course.
If asbestos exposure is experienced, or you suspect that you may have been affected, get to the doctor as soon as possible. Do not waste any days in delay, for it is best to properly identify if there is a problem as quickly as possible. An X-ray will be completed on your chest cavity to check your lungs for the presence of these asbestos fibers, which are visible on a lung x-ray.
If you feel like your asbestos exposure is the result of negligence and safety protocols ignored on the part of a company, then your next step after the doctor may be to a mesothelioma attorney. They are a fountain of resources and will help as well, so do not be shy in contacting them. If you think you may have asbestos exposure, please do not delay in consulting with a doctor.