Mesothelioma - Cancer that Strikes 40 Years Later

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

In his article called Knee Deep in Asbestos, freelance writer Phil Jones relates how when he was a teenager he worked for a brief time in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. One of the features of daily life was the constant presence of asbestos dust in the air. As Jones writes,

There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked.

This story illustrates a number of the more sinister aspects of the whole mesothelioma story.

First, over the course of many decades, countless workers were placed in work environments where they were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibre with little protection. Their exposure to asbestos fibres was constant and often took place over a very long period of time - in most cases, over many years.

Second, the owners and managers of these work places were often either unaware of the risk of mesothelioma, or they actively attempted to hide or cover up those risks.

Third, since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, there often appeared to be no immediate health risk in these work environments. This made it very difficult for workers or their representatives to make a convincing case that worker health was being sacrificed on the altar of corporate profit.

For more information about mesothelioma, the causes of mesothelioma, the effects of mesothelioma, and the legal courses of action open to mesothelioma victims, visit Mesothelioma Advisors.

Rick Hendershot is a writer and founder of the Linknet Publishing Network. To learn how you can benefit from original articles, and posted around the web, see our program called the Linknet Promote with Articles Program.

LegalView Informs Americans of Potentially Dangerous Risk
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - 4 hours ago
Asbestos is a mineral that, when inhaled, causes a deadly form of lung cancer to develop on the lining of the lungs. The cancer, known as mesothelioma, ...

Mesothelioma Patients in Libby Have Little Time to Take Advantage ...
Asbestos.com, Florida - Sep 5, 2008
In addition, more than 1000 have been diagnosed with asbestos-induced illness. The mission of MASSA is to provide free lung screening to present and former ...

Clinical consequences of asbestos-related diffuse pleural ...
7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY - 15 minutes ago
... DPT and malignant mesothelioma. DPT may be associated with symptoms such as dyspnoea and chest pain. It causes a restrictive defect on lung function and ...

Lung Cancer, Asbestos and Mesothelioma Information Posted on Web Site
PR Web (press release), WA - Sep 3, 2008
Many home owners are shocked to find the home they live in contains lung cancer, asbestos and mesothelioma risks posed by insulation on pipes, flooring and ...

New Asbestos Lawsuits Filed in West Virginia
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Sep 4, 2008
... asbestos and developed lung cancer as a result. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can also result in the development of colorectal cancer, mesothelioma, ...

Former shipyard worker wins in mesothelioma trial
Daily Press, VA - Sep 5, 2008
Koonce, 59, of Norfolk, diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2006, worked with John Crane gaskets, packing material and other asbestos parts between 1967 and 1971 ...

Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Texas Names 46 Defendants
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Sep 2, 2008
Exposure to asbestos is one of the main contributing factors to the development of mesothelioma, a chronic lung condition that reduces lung function and ...
Woman Files Asbestos Lawsuit on Behalf of Husband's Estate TransWorldNews (press release)
all 2 news articles

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center Recognizes New
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Sep 2, 2008
The study indicated a possible “genetic response” by cells within the lung cavity when exposed to crocidolite asbestos. The scientific approach utilized by ...

LegalView Informs Mesothelioma Blog Readers of Asbestos
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Aug 31, 2008
... form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma. Asbestos is a mineral that has been in use for nearly 3000 years, according to the US Geological Survey. ...

Daily Mail
Did asbestos at school kill this woman?
guardian.co.uk, UK - Aug 30, 2008
He believes that 90000 more people will die from mesothelioma in Britain and that a further 90000 will die from other lung diseases related to asbestos ...
Youngest victim of 'asbestos cancer' a former city student Derby Evening Telegraph
Britain's youngest Asbestos victim dies at 28: Did she contract it ... Daily Mail
all 11 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Mesothelioma Cancer - What to Tell Children