20 Myths About Causes Of Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos: Busted
Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Asbest has been a cause of asbestos exposure for millions of Americans. Other causes of this cancer have been linked to asbestos although it is not the primary reason.
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if inhaled or consumed. The asbestos fibers can enter the lungs' linings or the linings that protect the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma with blood and imaging tests. However, they are unable to confirm mesothelioma if they don't have a tissue sample.
1. Exposure to radiation
Despite the many misinformations in the media mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos. Even a tiny amount of exposure can lead to the development of cancer, which is found in the lining of the lungs, the heart and abdomen. Exposure to radiation or other sources can increase the risk of mesothelioma, however, they are less frequent causes than asbestos.
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is described as a cancer by abnormal cells which grow and divide uncontrollably. The cancer cells eventually grow into tumors, which may infiltrate nearby organs and tissues. Mesothelioma cancer cells can also spread to distant parts of your body via blood vessels or lymphatics.
Asbestos exposure is responsible for up to 80 percent of all mesothelioma cases. People who are exposed to asbestos work in areas like mining, construction or the military are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who weren't. The exposure is usually through inhalation or ingestion asbestos fibers, which may get lodged in the lungs or stomach.
Other risk factors for mesothelioma include an ancestor's history of the disease as well as smoking. Asbestos workers may carry asbestos fibers home on their skin and clothing which increases the chances that their loved family members will be exposed to the cancer-causing substance.
A recurrence of mesothelioma is common when a patient has been through treatment for cancer or other diseases. Patients who have undergone surgery to treat cancers of the chest cavity like lung or pleuro-pleural cancer are at greater risk of a mesothelioma recurrence.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by physical exam and medical history, imaging tests and other procedures, such as a biopsy. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma. Certain patients also receive immunotherapy or targeted therapy. The surgery involves removing the tumors and any tissue affected by them. Chemotherapy is a drug-based treatment that reduces or kills cancerous cells. The use of radiation therapy is to treat tumors, stopping their growth or spreading. Immunotherapy, also called targeted therapy, is the process of using drugs to boost the immune system to fight cancer.
2. Erionite
Mesothelioma most commonly occurs after exposure to asbestos. However there are many other causes for this type of cancer. The mineral erionite is one of the most intriguing. This mineral is a frequent mineral found in natural zeolite minerals and it has been shown to cause mesothelioma. This is a serious illness and anyone who has been exposed to it must seek medical attention immediately.
Mesothelioma happens when cells within the lining of the body's organs become abnormal and grow out of control. In most cases, this happens in the lungs. It can also affect the stomach, the heart and other organs of the body. Mesothelioma is most often a problem for males. It is also more prevalent for those who have been exposed to asbestos over an extended period of time or to multiple types.
The needle-like fibers created by asbestos can cause mesothelioma. These fibers can lodge in the lungs and in other parts of the body after workers inhale them. A biopsy can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. Doctors can determine whether the cancer is sarcomatoid epithelioid biphasic.
Asbestos isn't the only thing that causes mesothelioma. The disease is also linked to coal dust and other natural sources of Zeolite mineral. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain substances or bacteria that cause inflammation and lung damage.
In the past, asbestos was believed to be the only material that could cause this disease in humans. However, recent research has shown that a mineral that is similar to asbestos, erionite, can also cause mesothelioma. In fact, erionite is much more mesothelioma-inducing than any of the known asbestos minerals. This is why it's so important to identify any asbestos-like materials and to be tested for mesothelioma. The CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has issued detailed guidelines that cover this problem. Several different reviews are available on the mineralogy of erionite as well as health effects (International Agency for Research on Cancer 2009; Mumpton 1999). There is also a fantastic source on the mesothelioma risk of erionite in Cappadocia, Turkey, by Michele Carbone.
3. SV40 Virus
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that covers most of our internal organs. This rare cancer is usually caused by asbestos exposure in the workplace. However, there are some instances that are not linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is classified as pleural or peritoneal, which affects the tissue around the abdominal organs or pericardial, a rare form of the disease which affects the tissues around the heart. There are mesothelioma asbestos exposure that suggest that a virus called SV40 may be the mesothelioma-related cause.
In the 1950s, scientists working on the polio vaccine grew their attenuated live virus using minced kidney cells taken from Rhesus monkeys. Unfortunately there were monkeys that were infected with the simian Virus, which contaminated the polio vaccination. Many who received the vaccine in the United States, and elsewhere have developed mesothelioma.
Researchers have discovered SV40 in mesothelioma tumors, but the link is controversial. It is possible that the SV40 simply contaminated the tissues in the laboratory and did not cause mesothelioma. The SV40 gene is able to be integrated into human chromosomes and involved in cell division. Some researchers have suggested that the virus causes mesothelioma, because it increases the possibility of developing other cancers.
However other mesothelioma-related risk factors don't appear to increase the risk of developing the disease, such as a mineral called Erionite found in Turkey as well as radiation treatments for other illnesses and talcum powder which is commonly used by women than men. Understanding the other risks of mesothelioma could aid in diagnosing the disease earlier, which can improve outcomes for patients. Recognizing other risk factors can be a key factor in developing better prevention methods. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to a patient's survival. As more information on the causes of mesothelioma is discovered, more and more people will get diagnosed with the disease, and more lives will be saved.
4. Talcum Powder
Most mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of tiny fibres. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the tissues of the abdomen, lungs and heart. The symptoms typically manifest for after more than 20 years of asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure is mostly found in the workplace. The most at-risk are miners, workers who produce asbestos-containing products in factories, automobile and railroad workers (asbestos used to line train car and engine parts) asbestos-based gas masks and insulation manufacturers, shipbuilders, painters, and construction workers. The families of workers in these industries can also contract mesothelioma via secondhand exposure from asbestos that is transported home on clothing.
Asbestos fibres are microscopic and can enter the lungs. They'll stay there for life. The fibres can irritate cells until they become damaged enough to form cancerous tumours.
Mesothelioma affects the chest the lining (pleura), stomach lining (peritoneum) and the lining around the heart (pericardium). In rare instances the lining around testes may be affected by mesothelioma. All forms of asbestos, including chrysotile have been linked to mesothelioma.
Exposure to talcum may also increase your risk of developing mesothelioma. Talcum is a naturally occurring mineral made from magnesium silicate. It is used in cosmetics and also as a baby powder. When asbestos-contaminated talcum powder is inhaled, it can irritate the lungs and cause them to develop tumours. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos-contaminated talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer in women. According to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, African American women who use talcum on their genitals have a 44% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Mesothelioma is the most common cancer among males, who are the most likely to be exposed to asbestos at work. It can affect anyone at any age. The duration and the amount of asbestos exposure are the most important factors in determining a person's likelihood for mesothelioma. The risk is higher for those who were exposed to the most asbestos at a young age and over a longer time.