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Mesothelioma is an incurable and rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium lining. It is often linked to asbestos exposure which is trapped inside the tissue. More than half of mesothelioma patients have a known history of exposure to asbestos in construction and industrial working environments thus inhaling asbestos-like minerals or particles. For a victim of mesothelioma, other genetic and lifestyle risk factors after asbestos exposure that lead to cell proliferation include;

Asbestos exposure risk

The most deadly form of asbestos is crocidolite which easily breaks off and is inhaled. In typical scenarios, asbestos fibers are inhaled and in turn embed on the lining of the abdomen, lungs and heart thereby causing inflammation. Asbestos may also travel through the pericardium and the lymph nodes. This may result in the formation of tumors around the chest, heart, and abdomen. A victim of peritoneal mesothelioma may ingest asbestos particles that get embedded in the abdomen. The risk levels associated with working around asbestos include; the duration of exposure to asbestos, amount of asbestos exposure and type of asbestos minerals present in the working environment. Symptoms vary widely by the location of the disease.

Asbestos tends to cause direct and indirect damage to the DNA held in the nucleus of the cell. They can interfere directly with the process of mitosis during cell division thus resulting in the damage of cells. On the other hand, asbestos indirectly force cells in the mesothelium to release nitrogen and oxygen which react to the mutagen and causes cell mutation. Mesothelioma takes an average period of 10 to 60 years to develop once a victim is exposed to asbestos.

Smoking

Persons who smoke are likely to develop mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. This has to do with the overall poor health of smokers and the smoking-induced inflammation and lung damage, combined with the adverse effects that asbestos fibers have previously caused.

Genetics, age and gender

Some individuals exposed to asbestos do not develop mesothelioma. The BAP1 gene has been highly suspected as the genetic component responsible for developing mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos. This gene may be linked to other members of the family developing mesothelioma once exposed to asbestos.

Older males working at jobs with the use of high levels of asbestos are highly prone to develop mesothelioma than any other age group. It is important that employers protect their workers against this kind of hazardous exposure. You can always get a lawyer if you’re a victim of mesothelioma to investigate and handle your claim for damages.

Simian virus 40

In almost half of the cases of mesothelioma, the victim also appears to be infected with Simian Virus 40. The SV40 virus has been found to affect specific cancer-linked genes thus increasing the risk of mesothelioma. This virus appears not to cause mesothelioma on its own.

Most victims of mesothelioma succumb to negligence on the part of manufacturers of asbestos who intentionally expose workers to these health dangers. It is advisable to seek legal advice so the lawyers can investigate your work history. Essential information about the activities performed in the past which led to its contribution may be collected through collaboration with a mesothelioma attorney.