Even Minimal Asbestos Exposure May Trigger Mesothelioma in People with Gene Mutation
Asbestos exposure can be deadly for anyone, but new research suggests that some people are more likely to develop mesothelioma after even minimal exposure. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral that has been associated with lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and malignant mesothelioma. Most mesothelioma patients are people who worked in the asbestos industry or in other industries – such as construction and ship-building – where asbestos was once commonly used. But a new study conducted by some of the world’s top cancer researchers found that mesothelioma patients with a particular inherited genetic mutation often contract the disease without ever having worked in an asbestos-related industry. “To date, we found that none of the mesothelioma patients carrying germline BAP1 mutations…
