Today while surfing through the Internet I came across a new term (at least for me), that's Mesothelioma. It is a form of Cancer that is caused by physical exposure to Asbestos (a metal used mainly to build bullet proof jackets and fire fighting suits and equipment, as this metal is fire resistant). Most of the internal organs in our body are protected with a layer that is known as Mesothelium, but it is mainly found in lungs, chest, abdominal and heart (though the terms used for each layer related to each organ is different). Mostly lungs are the sensitive organs that are affected by this disease most.
Mostly people who are involved in some sort of jobs that involve asbestos are the ones who get affected. When someone inhales particles of asbestos while working in such kind of jobs these particles reach their lungs. Not only that other people like family members of one who works with some asbestos related job can also get affected, like when washing their cloths etc. So you can imagine how deadly it is. Some people link this disease with smoking which has no fact at all. It is not at all related to smoking.
Symptoms of this disease include shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss also. These are major symptoms of this disease. The diagnosis is simple, through x-ray and CT scan, and can be confirmed with a biopsy of the tissue sample and microscopic examination. There are other ways also like examining by inserting a small camera with the help of a tube into the chest. Though its detection seems simple, most of the times it is not detected at early stages. Main therapies for this disease are same as any other cancer like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and in some cases surgery.
I am not a doctor, neither I am anyway related to Medics and all. I just came across this useful information through different resources on Internet, so I compiled it in easy language that a common man understands and put it here so that I can make all of you a bit aware of this, specially those who are in this kind of fields which deal with asbestos.
And interestingly, I came across one more thing, that is law's perspective on Mesothelioma. In their attempt to curb harmful effects of asbestos on human body most of the countries like USA, Australia, UK, New Zealand, France, Canada, Brazil etc. has already banned the use of asbestos or products related to a use of asbestos long back. But the cause of concern is that developing countries like India still don't seem concerned about it. It is still used in various countries.
As it is evident that this metal is dangerous, people who used to work in such jobs that involve a use of asbestos have sued their employers lately when they suffered because of it, even now, in countries where asbestos is not banned, laborers sue their employers for compensation when they get affected. In the US, govt. is so strict about it that they take it as the criminal offense as follow criminal proceedings against employers who engage workers with jobs envolving asbestos.
Interesting, in various countries, lots of lawsuits are filed related to this because of which a number of lawyers have become specialized layers of Mesothelioma, they are known as mesothelioma lawyers.
Anyways, my motive is just to spread some information about this, so that people in developing countries come across the dangers of asbestos and this deadly disease.
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