Asbestos and Malignant Mesthelioma

Many people are wondering about the risks of asbestos exposure and getting malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer on the pleura, or lining of the lungs. It can lead fluid in the lungs, difficulty breathing, and eventually death. When it comes to how our bodies age and handle illness, 65% depends on the environment, like the things we feed, expose, and do to our bodies. The remaining 35% is due to genetics, that wonderful nuclear and mitochondrial DNA that we got from ours parents and mothers, respectively.

When we think about environment, consider the following study. A 35-year period evaluation of workers in an asbestos factory in Poland revealed that increased rates of lung cancers, pleural mesothelioma, and all malignant cancers were higher in these workers than in the general population. Of the 4,187 subjects studied (2805 men and 1382 women), five died from pleural mesothelioma. Also, the risk for these types of illness did not differ between those that had a preceeding documented diagnosis of lung asbestosis and those that did not. So, where people work, and the polutants they are exposed to, clearly influence disease risks.

Now with genomics laboratories, investigation of disease risk is taken to a new level. A recent study in Northwest Italy evaluated single nucleotide DNA polymorphisms in 4 genes responsible for DNA repair. Polymorphisms are like typos in the DNA language. The assumption was that sloppy DNA repair increased the risk for this cancer when a gene-damaging substance like asbestos was thrown into the picture. It's like trying to fix an important system with an entire chapter ripped out of the repair manual. So seven different variations of these 4 genes were studied in 81 malignant mesothelioma patients and 110 of their age-matched and sex-matched controls. All subjects were residents of Casale Monferrato, a town polluted with asbestos. The results showed that with one type of polymorphism (or DNA typo) a 2.147 oddds ratio existed for this disease, another variant (or DNA typo) had a 4.09 odds risk ratio. These genetic variations can certainly put people at an increased risk of developing the cancer. This is valuable information because the residents of this town can now look at their family genetics and give more consideration about whether or not they should move out of there!

Environment and genetics...we are getting more options now than ever before to learn about our risks of getting cancers, like malignant mesothelioma. If you have any concerns about a history of personal asbestos exposure, I encourage you to explore with your physician or health care provider what diagnostic tools are available for further evaluation.

References: Dianzani I, et al. Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes as risk factors for asbestos-related malignat mesothelioma in a general population study. Mutant Res. 2006 Marc 23; (epub ahead of print) Wilezynska U, Szymezak W, Szeszenia-Dabrowska N. Mortality from malignant neoplasms among workers of an asbestos processing plant in Poland: results of prolonged observation. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2005; 18(4):313-26.

Natalie Kather, MD, is a diplomate of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine and diplomate of the Amercian Board of Family Medicine. She specializes in using the latest longevity and anti-aging research to extend and improve her clients' lives.

Mesothelioma - How to Find a Good Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyer

Without a doubt, ability, experience and reputation, These are important factors in determining an mesothelioma / asbestos lawyer's you can count on and hire. Mind you, If the methotheleoma lawyer is well known as a highly competent lawyer who has settled many mesothelioma cases, his fee is likely to be higher. Remember, the cheapest lawyer may not always be the best. Of course, unless a lawyer takes your case on a contingent basis, he will expect to be paid, win or lose.

The amount of time and labor spent on your asbestos mesothelioma case is what a lawyer will charge you for, his/her time is money. Most lawyers keep very careful records of the amount of time they and members of their staff spend on your case. Different attorneys rate their time differently depending upon their experience, training. skills, and workload.

What about Contingency fees? A contingent fee arrangement is that your lawyer gets a percentage of the compensation money you receive as resolution of your asbestos lawsuit. If you do not receive compensation for the lawsuit then your lawyer collects no fees. However, you may owe charges for court fees, copying, and hiring expert witnesses. A contingency fee is a good option for those unable to pay hourly. Results can never be guaranteed . Nonetheless, some lawyers will handle a lawsuit for money and damages on the condition that they be allowed to take a percentage of the recovery if success is achieved. Under this contingent arrangement, a lawyer does not collect a fee if the case is lost. The client must still pay court costs, however.

Check the lawyers records if possible- Check background, experience, disciplinary record of any potential mesothelioma lawyer candidate. Many states currently require all lawyers to graduate from college and law school, pass a written exam, pass a character and fitness review, and be licensed to practice law. Also, many lawyers take continuing legal education classes each year. You can find out about many asbestos mesothelioma lawyers' backgrounds by checking legal source books in your local law library or public library. Consider the mesothelioma lawyer's training and experience - Ask if the lawyer has handled similar asbestos matters, and what the outcomes were. Also ask if the lawyer has taken any continuing legal education courses regarding asbestos law and asbestos mesothelioma litigation which relates to your legal issue.

GET LEGAL HELP REGARDING Asbestos Mesothelioma

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.legal-help-advice.com

Asbestos - From Miracle Mineral To Mesothelioma Menace

During World War II Asbestos was hailed by many as a miracle mineral. Almost anything could be built or manufactured from this mineral. The building and construction industries used it as an additive to strengthen cement and plastics. Asbestos fibers can be separated into thin threads which do not conduct electricity and are not affected by heat or chemicals.

The four main types of asbestos are: Amosite with brown fibers, Anthophyllite with gray fibers, white Christie, and blue Crocidolite. Chrysotile has curly fibers while the other three have rod like fibers. These fibers break into dust quite easily and drift in the air. They can stick on skin, clothing, and can easily be swallowed or inhaled.

Use of asbestos skyrocketed during World War II. Shipbuilding used asbestos extensively in freighters and support vessels to insulate boilers, steam pipes and hot water pipes. Asbestos became the miracle construction material as it was easily obtained, processed, and transported.

After WWII cars used asbestos in break shoes and clutch pads. Asbestos found its way into residential and industrial building materials, water supply, sewage materials, ceiling and floor tiles, and vermiculite garden materials to name a few products.

In the 1970's the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of asbestos in several products that could release asbestos fibers into the environment during use, following the discoveries of the health dangers of asbestos dust inhalation. Regulations governing the use of asbestos and concern of public opinion since 1970 have created a significant drop in the use of asbestos in the United States.

In 1989 all new uses of asbestos were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency while any old uses before that year were still permitted. The EPA suggested that schools inspect for damaged asbestos and eliminate any exposure or enclose it in protective barriers. Vermiculite, widely used in horticulture, became a concern of the EPA that recommended outdoor use, limiting the amount of dust used, and keeping vermiculite damp.

Asbestos may create serious health hazards such as coughing, lung damage, shortness of breath, and lung cancer. Most people do not become sick in the early stages of development, but usually need continued exposure, often on jobs such as mining, milling, manufacturing asbestos products, and building construction. Firemen, demolition workers, drywall removers, and any other workers in trades that involve destruction of buildings, ships, and automobiles are also exposed to the hazards and risks of asbestos.

Over a period of years continual exposure to asbestos can cause very serious health problems, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of carcinoma of the membrane that lines numerous cavities of the body, including the lungs, abdomen and heart, and has been associated with exposure to asbestos dust. In mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelioma metastasize and damage adjacent organs and tissues.

Risk of developing mesothelioma takes a long period of time, often as long as twenty-five or thirty-five years before full blown symptoms appear. Not all workers who have been exposed will develop diseases caused by asbestos, but workers who have been exposed to it may bring fibers on their clothing, hair, shoes, and skin home to their families. To circumvent this risk, most industries require workers to bathe and change their clothing before they leave work.

Many studies have been conducted involving the risks of diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. The results of one such study involving the risks of smoking and exposure to asbestos proved extremely hazardous.

For further information on asbestos, such as risks, research, lawsuits and disease support groups visit:

http://www.asbestos-headquarters.com

Grant Davis, is a freelance writer and has worked in a variety of fields, including teaching. Feel free to use the above article as long as it is reprinted in its entirety.