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…

Understanding the Rare Testicular Mesothelioma
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Understanding the Rare Testicular Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Testicular mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in fewer than 50 people each year. Researchers in Australia compared the qualities of testicular mesothelioma with more common types of this cancer. Asbestos Exposure and Treatment Most cases of mesothelioma occur around the lungs (pleural) or around the abdomen (peritoneal). However, there are two rare subtypes that can occur. One is found around the testis and the other can be found around the heart. Testicular mesothelioma is also called paratesticular or mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. The most common symptom is a mass or hydrocele (buildup of fluid) inside the scrotum. Like the other types of mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is usually…

Worldwide Mesothelioma Rates Decline
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Worldwide Mesothelioma Rates Decline

ByHolly Zink

A new study looked at the worldwide rates of mesothelioma over the past decade. The international team of researchers hailed from China, Sweden, Australia, the Philippines, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The researchers used information from three different databases to learn about the number of cases and what might cause the disease. The Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus, and Global Burden of Disease provided data for this study. Banning Asbestos Worldwide Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. Sites of mesothelioma are typically the outer lining of the lungs and chest wall and the abdomen….

Countries Ban Asbestos to Reduce Mesothelioma Deaths

Countries Ban Asbestos to Reduce Mesothelioma Deaths

ByHolly Zink

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…