Q. What is malignant mesothelioma and how prevalent is the disease in the United States?
A. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the layer of tissue which covers the internal organs. Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue surrounding the lungs.
According to the Mayo Clinic, general symptoms of mesothelioma often include chest pain, painful coughing, shortness of breath, unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest, and unexplained weight loss. The American Lung Association adds that diagnosis of the disease involves lung function tests, X-rays and blood tests. Although mesothelioma may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, the disease is considered incurable.
Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma and scientists overwhelmingly agree that there is no safe level of exposure. According to recent World Health Organization figures, worldwide, one in every three deaths from occupational cancer may be caused by asbestos. WHO estimates that 125 million people are exposed to asbestos in the workplace.
In the United States, mesothelioma accounts for some 3,000 deaths each year but this number is beginning to fall with reduced asbestos use. Mesothelioma takes a long time to develop. The time between the first exposure to asbestos and the diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually between 20 and 50 years. Asbestos use peaked in the United States in 1970s and was banned in new construction in 1989. Despite the ban, potential exposure to asbestos remains. Many products containing asbestos such as insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, and brake pads are still sold. In fact, as recently as 2007, a study sponsored by The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization examined more than 250 commercially available products and found asbestos in everyday household items including children's toys, window glazing, spackling paste, roof patching material and duct tape.
While older homes and buildings may still contain asbestos, it's more dangerous to remove this asbestos than it is to leave it intact. Breaking up asbestos causes fibers to become airborne. An extreme example of this phenomenon occurred at Ground Zero in Manhattan, when huge clouds of asbestos-containing dust, fumes and toxic particles billowed out from the wreckage. The long term health effects of exposure to asbestos at Ground Zero are still being studied. For concerns about asbestos levels in older building structures, detailed information on how to properly and safely deal with asbestos can be found on the Boulder County website.
Paul Strong, who holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology, volunteers for the Grillo Health Information Center. To obtain free help researching health topics contact the Grillo Center located at 4715 Arapahoe Ave., phone number 720-854-7293 or grillocenter.org. We do not provide medical advice. We encourage informed consultation with your physician or medical practitioner.
