What causes mesothelioma? For many cancers, figuring out the cause for an individual cancer can be very challenging. Why does a non-smoker get lung cancer and a smoker does not? Why do people with very healthy diets sometimes get stomach or colon cancer? It’s very difficult to explain, but mesothelioma is often the exception to the rule.
The medical experts tell us that mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos. In fact, mesothelioma is often called the “asbestos caused cancer.” This means that if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma you were likely exposed to asbestos. If fact, many people diagnosed with this cancer have been exposed to asbestos at multiple times from multiple sources throughout their lives.
Other Causes
Other than asbestos, there are a few other things that are believed to cause mesothelioma cancer:
Erionite
Radiation Therapy
Simian Virus 40
Few People Get Mesothelioma
This does not mean, however, that all people exposed to asbestos will eventually be diagnosed with mesothelioma. In fact, the opposite is true – most people exposed to asbestos will never be diagnosed with mesothelioma. It is estimated that millions of people have been exposed to this carcinogenic mineral, but only about 2,000 people per year out of these millions will ever be diagnosed with the asbestos caused cancer.
Clearly there is something else going on that causes some people to get this diagnosis, while others do not. So why do some people get diagnosed with mesothelioma, while the vast majority of people who were also exposed to asbestos, do not?
Scientists have been trying to answer two questions for years:
Why does mesothelioma occur in people many decades after the person was exposed to asbestos?
Why do most people exposed to asbestos never get mesothelioma?
In fact, the answers to these two questions may be related and involve what this carcinogenic mineral does in the human body.
How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made of billions of needle like fibers. These fibers are resistant to heat and corrosion, and because they are fibers, they can be woven into other products. In fact, the fibers are so small that they are microscopic and millions can fit on the head of a pin.
It is believed that the size and shape of these fibers is what makes asbestos so dangerous. It is thought to work like this – tiny airborne fibers become inhaled or swallowed. Because they are so sharp and small they become embedded in different areas of the body. Somehow they are either trapped or moved to the mesothelial layers of the body, the thin layer of lubricating tissue that surrounds most of the body’s organs. There, it is believed, they create chronic inflammation. Over time this inflammation may lead to mesothelioma in some people.
But, why does it cause mesothelioma in some people and not in others? Some scientists believe that the immune system plays a role in the cause of mesothelioma. One theory is that the immune system, when it is working properly, may be able to stop the creation of cancer. In fact, the immune system has a number of specialized cells which “patrol” the body and find and consume bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. But, in some people that immune surveillance may not be working as well as it should. This could be because of another disease process, poor diet, or perhaps even stress. Whatever the cause, once the body’s immune system is suppressed and not functioning as it should, the theory is that the asbestos fibers and the chronic inflammation may, over time, result in cancer.
If this is true it would explain several intriguing observations: 1) some mesothelioma patients like Paul Kraus, Ruth Phillips, and others who use immune boosting approaches as part of their care often experience a benefit of some kind and may outlive their prognosis by years or decades; 2) other theorized causes of mesothelioma such as radiation therapy and SV40 can affect the immune system.
While asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, some doctors have suggested that radiation therapy (treatment for another cancer) or a virus called SV40 may also cause or contribute to mesothelioma.
Radiation Therapy and Mesothelioma
Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells. Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy is considered a cytotoxic (cell killing) modality. Wherever the beam is pointed, cells will be killed – both healthy cells and cancer cells. While radiation therapy may cause mesothelioma directly by turning healthy mesothelial cells into mesothelioma cells, another theory is that the radiation simply suppresses a patient’s immune system and once the patient’s immune system is suppressed the last barrier to cancer may have fallen.
SV40 and Mesothelioma
SV40 stands for Simian Virus 40. It is a virus found in some mesothelioma cancers as well as brain cancers, bone cancers and lymphomas. SV40 is a monkey virus that was released into the human population by the polio vaccines. Both the original starting materials (seed stocks) and the growth mediums used kidney cells from monkeys (African Green and Rhesus). These kidney cells were full of monkey viruses so when the vaccine was “harvested” many other extraneous viruses were captured as well. Simian Virus 40 was the 40th one found. According to early researchers like Dr. Bernice Eddy, SV40 caused tumors to grow in laboratory animals.
Obviously, the role of a cancer causing monkey virus from vaccines is a hotly debated topic. Nonetheless, SV40 is considered one of the most carcinogenic viruses known to man and some scientists believe that asbestos is the underlying cause of mesothelioma, but SV40 could play a co-carcinogenic role in some patients.
Is Asbestos Causing Mesothelioma Today?
While there is no comprehensive asbestos ban in the United States, asbestos was voluntarily taken out of most products by the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Nonetheless, older houses and buildings still contain asbestos in joint compound (in walls), floor tiles, acoustic ceilings, roof shingles, and many other building products. Asbestos may also be found in late model cars in brakes, transmissions and clutches. Many products manufactured in other countries and imported into the United States may also contain asbestos. There is no policing or testing of these products. In fact, when an independent cancer organization tested children’s toys imported from China, they found asbestos in at least one product. Therefore, it is possible that asbestos can still be causing mesothelioma today.
However, because of the long latency period, most people diagnosed today were exposed to asbestos decades ago. If trends continue, the frequency of mesothelioma should decline over time. Nonetheless, because asbestos can be found in so many older products and structures it is best to remain vigilant. If you think there is asbestos near you, call in an expert.
Learn More About Mesothelioma
Find out more about the causes of mesothelioma and read about the longest-living survivor, Paul Kraus, in our free book, “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patients’ Guide.” Get the book express delivered to your door for free today!
Countries Ban Asbestos to Reduce Mesothelioma Deaths-A new study published in BMJ Global Health has found that most countries ban asbestos to reduce mesothelioma cases. This study was an international collaboration. Authors were based in research centers located in Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. The authors found a strong relationship between asbestos bans and pre-ban mesothelioma burden in the country. Countries with a high number of mesothelioma cases were more likely to ban the use of asbestos. Asbestos Causes Cancer in Humans Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The Global Burden of Diseases Study estimates that 29,300 people around the world die each year from mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring material found throughout the world. It is almost impossible to set on … Continue reading Countries Ban Asbestos to Reduce Mesothelioma Deaths»
Asbestos Type Influences Mesothelioma Development-A new report from South Korea shows that the type of asbestos exposure can influence the development of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It was once called the “magic mineral” because of its seemingly magical properties. All these properties pale in comparison to the fact that asbestos is toxic and causes cancer in humans. Asbestos causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is classified as a Class I Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Sixty countries have bans on asbestos, but many developing countries still use this toxic material. South Korea, where this study took place, was a major consumer of asbestos in the late 1900s. It … Continue reading Asbestos Type Influences Mesothelioma Development»
30 Years of Global Rise in Mesothelioma Cases-A new study has found that the rate of mesothelioma cases around the world has continued to increase over the past 30 years. The study was published in Critical Reviews in Oncology and Hematology. The study researchers summarized the most recent worldwide patterns in mesothelioma burden. It is the most recent and thorough study on the annual incidence, mortality, and loss of lifespan for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma and Asbestos Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the world and is toxic to humans. Many countries have banned or tried to limit the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos is still used in many places around the world. It … Continue reading 30 Years of Global Rise in Mesothelioma Cases»
Latest Classification Updates for Mesothelioma In Situ-There are new guidelines on the diagnosis and classification of mesothelioma in situ. A new article in the Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment talks about why these updates are important. The latest updates were first published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The previous WHO classification of pleural mesothelioma included three histological subtypes. But WHO recently recognized mesothelioma in situ as a fourth mesothelioma subtype. Pathologists can tell the difference between the subtypes by looking at the cells under a microscope. Each subtype has a slightly different cell shape, growth pattern, and nuclear characteristics. The fourth mesothelioma subtype is a very early form of mesothelioma. Previous studies suggest that it may be an early sign of mesothelioma. If patients … Continue reading Latest Classification Updates for Mesothelioma In Situ»
Humor Helps Stressed Veteran Mesothelioma Caregivers-Mesothelioma, the asbestos-caused cancer, has a high symptom burden in British military veterans. There is little research on what it is like to live with mesothelioma as a veteran. Or what it is like for veteran mesothelioma caregivers. New research has been published in the journal of Illness, Crisis & Loss on this topic. The article highlights how veterans and their families cope with the stress of the disease. Asbestos Exposure in the British Military Malignant mesothelioma is a disease linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure in the British Armed Forces has been documented. Many were exposed in damaged buildings during conflict and aid delivery. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed in older people, and survival rates are poor. Symptoms first appear … Continue reading Humor Helps Stressed Veteran Mesothelioma Caregivers»
New Tool Measures Past Exposure to Asbestos-A new Italian study supports the most reliable tool for determining past exposure to asbestos. The study has confirmed what thousands of mesothelioma patients already know. Exposure to asbestos puts them at high risk for malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It was once called the “magic mineral” because of its seemingly magical properties. Because of its heat-resistant properties, it served as an insulator in factories, schools, homes, and ships. Thousands of workers have come in contact with the material daily, in some cases, for decades. Asbestos is toxic and cancer-causing for human beings. It causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of … Continue reading New Tool Measures Past Exposure to Asbestos»
Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival-Many clinical researchers have asked the question: “Does the amount of asbestos exposure affect prognosis?” But every researcher comes to a slightly different conclusion. Many have looked at this question. But few can agree on the answer. Recently there were two articles in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology that proposed two opposite endings on this topic. One said that “the amount of asbestos in the lungs may directly correlate with shorter survival in patients with mesothelioma.” And the other said, “the amount of asbestos in the lungs does not influence survival.” A new article in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer compares notes from all the different studies. Dr. Michele Carbone from the University of Hawaii Cancer … Continue reading Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival»
New Mesothelioma Blood Test Could Lead to Earlier Diagnosis-A new mesothelioma blood test promises an earlier diagnosis for patients. An article in BBA-Molecular Basis of Disease explains the new breakthrough. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the asbestos-caused cancer. It is often diagnosed only in the advanced stage. This is because its early symptoms are also associated with other respiratory diseases. Finding a way to identify mesothelioma from other respiratory diseases is important. It helps doctors apply effective treatment strategies. And it increases the mesothelioma patient survival rate. Distinguishing Mesothelioma from Lung Cancer There is a well-known association between asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma. The most common type of asbestos-related cancer is malignant pleural mesothelioma. It accounts for approximately 80% of all mesothelioma cases. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is usually diagnosed … Continue reading New Mesothelioma Blood Test Could Lead to Earlier Diagnosis»
Global Call for Asbestos Hazardous Waste Management Strategies-A new report in the Journal of Environmental Management warns that asbestos-bans should be supported by coordinated asbestos hazardous waste management strategies. Asbestos is classified as a Class I Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Sixty countries have bans on asbestos. The US, China, India, and Russia are not among them. Nonetheless, asbestos is still part of the daily life of the population as asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in many buildings constructed and renovated before the 1990s. Asbestos has been used by many automobile, construction, manufacturing, power, and chemical industries for many years. Asbestos was a popular insulator because it resists heat and flame. The identification and coordinated management of asbestos hazardous waste is … Continue reading Global Call for Asbestos Hazardous Waste Management Strategies»
Stories from Wives and Caregivers of People with Mesothelioma-A new Australian study looked at people who took care of mesothelioma patients. The study found that caretakers needed different types of support. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients with mesothelioma, and their caregivers, are known to have some of the highest unmet needs of all cancer populations. Researchers talked to fourteen caregivers recruited from the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA). Of those interviewed, 13 were wives, and one was a daughter. Seven were retired at the time of the patients’ mesothelioma diagnosis, and 4 stopped work to provide care. Researchers used the feedback to assess best practices for follow-up care for mesothelioma. They now plan to share these best practices with clinicians across the … Continue reading Stories from Wives and Caregivers of People with Mesothelioma»
“My Name is Paul Kraus and I Have Survived Mesothelioma for Over 20 Years.”
In 1997 I was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The doctors gave me just a few short months to live...
But here I am, 20 years later, alive and well.
I wrote a book explaining how I became the longest living mesothelioma survivor in the world.
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