Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer appearing in the mesothelium lining. This lining surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma that strikes the lungs and chest cavity is known as "pleural mesothelioma". When the illness strikes the abdominal cavity, it is known as "peritoneal mesothelioma". The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos products.
Mesothelioma is neither curable nor preventable disease. Most patients die within 2 years of the date that they are diagnosed. For patients who have no treatment, the survival rate is 4-12 months. Every year, nearly 4,000 people die of mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma varies, depending on duration and intensity of asbestos exposure.
One fact about mesothelioma is very controversial: asbestos companies were aware of the threats of asbestos for many years before they warned people of those threats. Different professions such as ship building; and factory, railroad and construction jobs have a high risk of their employees being exposed to asbestos and developing this deadly disease. Mesothelioma can be prevented by wearing protective clothing and masks around asbestos work sites.
Relatives of people working in contact with asbestos are also at risk for contracting mesothelioma. It results from the fact that on their work clothes there are asbestos particles, that are brought home. Scientists also suppose that some genetic factors may play a role in predisposing people to mesothelioma.
In 1975 the U.S government forbid the use of asbestos materials. However by that time, many people were already under exposure of this cancerous material. Both the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organizations were also delayed in controlling and supervising the problem of asbestos exposure, and pointing out the risks of cancer associated with asbestos.
The only way to prevent the asbestos related diseases is to forbid asbestos mining and production. Although in many developed countries there are bans already it is very difficult to introduce such bans in developing countries due to financial constraints. The aim of an international meeting in Brazil, in 1994, was to call for a global asbestos prohibition, however, this meeting appeared not to be effective.
Mesothelioma has diagnostic and therapeutic challenges raising controversial. There is controversy whether both types of asbestos, chrysotile and amphibole, lead to mesothelioma and what occupations are at great risk from this illness. Amphibole form of asbestos is believed to be the cause of mesothelioma. Removal of asbestos is taking place in schools and other public buildings all over America. Hopefully, these measures will considerably decrease the occurrence of this deadly form of cancer.
