Mesothelioma and Cosmetic Talc: What You Need to Know

Mesothelioma and Cosmetic Talc: What You Need to Know

ByHolly Zink

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer. It is caused from asbestos exposure, a material once widely used in construction. Recently, it has been discovered that cosmetic talc, commonly found in personal hygiene products, may also contain asbestos, leading to mesothelioma in some cases. Understanding Mesothelioma Mesothelioma primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), and other organs. Exposure to asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, with even low levels of exposure posing a risk. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss. Diagnosis involves imaging tests and biopsies. Talc and Asbestos Contamination Talc is a mineral used in cosmetic powders and other products. Cosmetic talc may contain trace amounts of asbestos, which can be…

The Hidden Danger of Asbestos Removal: Air Pollution

The Hidden Danger of Asbestos Removal: Air Pollution

ByHolly Zink

Asbestos, once used in building construction, poses health risks. Removing it safely is important. A recent study looks at a problem caused by poorly done asbestos removal – pollution. Focus of the Study A new study looks at what happens after asbestos is removed. It focuses on what happens when there is not enough vacuum in the work area. This leads to dust escaping, polluting the air not just in the work area but also up to 15 meters away. The study shows that when work areas are not sealed properly, asbestos dust gets into the air outside. This can be dangerous for people near the building being renovated. For example, removing non-friable asbestos-cement sheets can increase contamination outside. Removing…

Microscopic Mysteries: Asbestos, Ultrafine Particulates, and Mesothelioma 

Microscopic Mysteries: Asbestos, Ultrafine Particulates, and Mesothelioma 

ByHolly Zink

Understanding how tiny particles in the air affect our health is challenging. A new study explores the health effects of asbestos and ultrafine particles. Researchers highlight the need for clearer definitions and better research. Asbestos is a toxic mineral found naturally throughout the world. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is not very common. This kind of cancer tends to affect older patients more, especially those over 40, and is more common in men. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a material used in old buildings. Defining Asbestos and Ultrafine Particulates Asbestos and ultrafine particles are tiny and can be harmful when breathed in. But, their exact definitions are not clear,…

The Persistence of Mesothelioma in a Post-Asbestos Era
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The Persistence of Mesothelioma in a Post-Asbestos Era

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to a harmful mineral called asbestos. It takes decades for mesothelioma to develop after exposure, showing a slow cancer process. Scientists have been working hard to understand how asbestos leads to this disease and find new ways to treat it. The Impact of Asbestos Regulations In the 1980s and early 90s, strict rules were put in place in many Western countries to limit or completely ban the use of asbestos. These measures have been successful in reducing the number of new mesothelioma cases. However, the total number of mesothelioma cases has not decreased significantly. In the United States, the total number hasn’t dropped due to an increasing population. There are a…

Unveiling the Mesothelioma Risk Posed by Exposure to Asbestos
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Unveiling the Mesothelioma Risk Posed by Exposure to Asbestos

ByHolly Zink

Asbestos is a toxic mineral found naturally throughout the world. Exposure to asbestos can cause people to develop mesothelioma, which is a rare and aggressive cancer. A new study looked how the risk for developing mesothelioma and lung cancer for people who live around asbestos in Tehran, Iran. Asbestos: A Fireproof, Deadly Fiber Even though asbestos is toxic to humans, people have used it in many industries because of its special qualities. It is almost impossible to set it on fire, it is nearly impossible to corrode, and it is composed of fibers so that it can be woven into other materials. It is also cheap because it can be taken out of the ground and does not have to…

Mesothelioma and the Importance of Asbestos Disposal Management
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Mesothelioma and the Importance of Asbestos Disposal Management

ByHolly Zink

Asbestos disposal is important to preventing cases of malignant mesothelioma. A review by an international team of researchers outlines three ways that asbestos can be managed safely. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found around the world. It was very popular as a manufacturing material because it is impossible to set on fire or corrode, and it can be woven into other materials. Since it is found naturally in the ground, it is also a cheap material. Despite these attractive qualities, asbestos is dangerous because it is toxic and causes cancer. It is classified as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for…

Caution in Mesothelioma Pain Medicine Use
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Caution in Mesothelioma Pain Medicine Use

ByHolly Zink

A newly published case study shows how important it is for doctors to be careful when giving pain medicine to patients with mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer that grows in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. MPM is also the most common form of mesothelioma. It accounts for over 90,000 deaths per year around the world. Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Symptoms It takes a very long time to diagnose mesothelioma. Usually, it takes almost 40 years after asbestos exposure to reach a diagnosis. Prognosis is poor with an average survival of 8 to 14 months from diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate is currently 10%. The symptoms of MPM can include shortness…

A Japanese Asbestos-Cement Plant and Mesothelioma

A Japanese Asbestos-Cement Plant and Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Living near a facility that uses asbestos can increase your chances of getting mesothelioma. This is the finding of a study published in Cancer Science by researchers from Japan. The researchers looked at people who lived near a large-scale asbestos-cement plant in Amagasaki, Japan. History of Asbestos Use Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that can be found throughout the world. It is often used in manufacturing and construction because it is hard to set on fire and nearly impossible to corrode. It is also inexpensive to use because it does not have to be synthesized in a factory. Asbestos is also toxic and causes cancer in humans who breathe it in. It can cause mesothelioma, which is a cancer…

Creating an American Mesothelioma Patient Registry
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Creating an American Mesothelioma Patient Registry

ByHolly Zink

Researchers from the University of Maryland are testing if the United States can create a mesothelioma patient registry. Other countries like Australia and Italy have created mesothelioma registries. These databases help scientists to understand how common mesothelioma is in their country. It also identifies risk factors for developing the disease. Tracking the Disease Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining of organs such as the chest, lungs, heart, and abdomen. It is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is used in construction and manufacturing industries. Despite being a rare disease, it has been a big public health issue, especially in the United States. Nearly 3,000 individuals are diagnosed each year. A mesothelioma…

Is Mesothelioma Still A Big Problem Worldwide?
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Is Mesothelioma Still A Big Problem Worldwide?

ByHolly Zink

Even though the number of people getting mesothelioma and dying from it has gone down in recent years, it is still a big problem in many parts of the world. This is the finding of an international team of scientists. The authors of this study are from South Korea, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These scientists wanted to find out how many people get mesothelioma and how many people die from it. They also wanted to know how it affects different groups of people based on things like age and where they live. Harmful Use of Asbestos Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos, a harmful material that was used a lot after World War…