Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that is
directly related to asbestos. Mesothelioma develops in
the mesothelium which is the lining that encapsules
many of the body's organs but is the most common in
the lungs and chest cavity.

Mesothelioma is hard to detect because you may not
have symptoms for many decades after you are exposed
to asbestos. Some of the common symptoms are shortness
of breath, fluid surrounding the lungs, fatigue, and a
harsh cough that may have blood in it.

Mesothelioma also has symptoms similar to a myriad of
other conditions such as Tuberculosis and other types
of lung cancer. The only way to be sure is to have
X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs performed.

Luckily, the odds of developing mesothelioma now are
pretty rare as measures are being taken by most
federal and state programs that make sure asbestos
isn't used in common building materials and older
buildings are being thoroughly checked and rebuilt if
necessary. Asbestos commonly was wrapped around water
pipes in old buildings and used in ceilings.

Though it is naturally occurring, asbestos is
relatively hard to just stumble upon. It was used in
concrete, brake pads, and in many different fire-proof
materials for a very long time.

Miners and their families developed mesothelioma by
working in the mines, washing miner's clothing, and
having a lot of it in their environment. In 1989, a
full ban on asbestos was issued by the Environmental
Protection Agency and work began to stop producing
materials that used it.