Saturday, August 27, 2011

Types Of Cancer Caused By Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber, known to Greeks as "miracle mineral" because of its flexibility, durability and resistance to heat and chemical damage. Asbestos is made up of long, thin fibers that become airborne when disturbed and damaged. United States, the mineral is used in many industries and approximately 3,000 commercial products, including: vinyl tiles, tile sealing, ceiling and roof, brakes banks, textiles, insulation, cement, and more. Used as insulation and fire retardant in factories, schools, houses and boats.

What types of cancer caused by asbestos?

Despite the many uses of asbestos, it is now considered dangerous to public health. Studies have finally figured out heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos causes several serious diseases to humans.

Mesothelioma. It is a rare type of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Although the incidence rate has decreased in recent years, about 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States.

There are three types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs and is considered the most common. Peritoneal and pericardial esothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity and heart, respectively.

The prognosis is poor because the condition is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, especially because the symptoms are usually late in appearing. There is no cure, but treatment options available.

Lung cancer. This disease is not directly linked to asbestos, the risk becomes greater when combined with smoking.

Laryngeal cancer. There is some evidence linking asbestos to cause cancer of the larynx (or larynx).

Kidney cancer. Many studies have shown that asbestos can also cause this type of cancer.

Other diseases are cancers: colon, intestine, esophagus, and gallbladder.

Who is at risk of asbestos-related cancers?

People who have been exposed to asbestos during the tenure of a high-risk occupations, such as: construction and demolition waste, shipbuilding, shipyard work, installation and removal of drywall, auto brake repair, firefighting and fire protection.

Asbestos is not dangerous, while he was still whole and intact. When disturbed and damaged, it releases microscopic fibers into the air. When inhaled or ingested by humans, these fibers are deposited in tissues, causing inflammation that can lead to malignancies.

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