subject: Early Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma Is The Key [print this page] Early Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma Is The Key
Mesothelioma has become one of the most killer viruses of the last three decades. The root of the virus lies in an exposure to asbestos material. Even though the disease is considered less widespread as compared to other forms of cancer such as lung cancer, yet it's disturbing growth due its airborne mode of exposure has made it quite lethal. There is still no cure for this form of cancer except chemotherapy treatment. According to a report Malignant mesothelioma kills 10,000 people a year in the US alone.
The problem lies in the fact that there are no real alternatives to asbestos. And since the late 70s companies that manufacture this material have consistently lied or ignored the levels of hazard. But due to the thousands of tort cases based on asbestos exposure, manufacturing companies are doing whatever they can to meet standards of workers safety.
Transmission through Asbestos
Only by the 70s was there sufficient data available that comprehensively proved the connection of asbestos exposure. The toxic nature of asbestos if inhaled over a long period of time leads to mesothelioma form of cancer. There have been secondary transmissions or in-direct cases of transmission. In 2004 a lady in England got infected with mesothelioma due to the clothes of her father which was exposed to high levels of this toxic material. This case creates a whole different level of risk as the person concerned was not directly working in an asbestos environment.
The one redeeming fact of asbestos exposure is that malignant mesothelioma transmission is not possible with small periods of exposure. One cannot get this cancer if it inhales the toxins a few times. A sustained exposure to this environment can be the only cause for this disease. According to Centre of Disease Control (CDC) a person may take up to 7 to 10 years to develop mesothelioma
Diagnosis of the Disease
An early diagnosis is the key to fighting this disease therefore diagnosing a set of common symptoms as early as possible is highly recommended. This is especially in the case of people working in the high risk environment.
The following are the basic processes used in diagnosing mesothelioma
(A) A CAT scan or an MRI scan to check the presence of large fluid
(B) Lung function test and a Chest X ray is performed after a thorough physical check
(C) Finally a biopsy is needed for confirmation of malignant mesothelioma
The biopsy depends upon where the cancer is located. Most commonly it is located in chest or in the abdomen. Though no test is perfect, based on medical history and the person's possible exposure to asbestos, certain inferences can be drawn.
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