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…

Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival
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Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival

ByHolly Zink

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…

Cracking the Code: New Mathematical Model for Cancer Screening to Catch Some Mesotheliomas Sooner
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Cracking the Code: New Mathematical Model for Cancer Screening to Catch Some Mesotheliomas Sooner

ByHolly Zink

Cancers, such as malignant mesothelioma, are one of the leading causes of death. Yet mortality could be reduced by detecting malignant tumors earlier so that treatment is started earlier at a less aggressive stage. A team of American data scientists recently “cracked the code” of cancer screenings. Cancer screenings are expensive and it can be difficult to know who and when to give screening. The tradeoff between the cost and the benefit of cancer screening is an ongoing challenge. A new study in PLOS Computational Biology describes a new mathematical model to help clinicians decide whom to screen and when. This is a big step forward in catching some mesotheliomas earlier. Early Diagnosis for Mesothelioma is Key Exposure to asbestos…

A Global Guide to Asbestos Consumption and Ending Mesothelioma
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A Global Guide to Asbestos Consumption and Ending Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working to end asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma. This means the end of asbestos use and consumption. New data shows the association between deaths from mesothelioma and asbestos consumption. Ecological studies play an important part in public health policy. The new Australian publication provides updated numbers about mesothelioma populations around the world. What We Knew About Mesothelioma and Asbestos 15 Years Ago A 2007 report provided clear evidence about the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma. But since that first report, only a few countries have implemented asbestos bans. Many developing countries continue to consume asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It was once called the “magic mineral”…

Dentists Exposed to Asbestos Could Trigger Malignant Mesothelioma
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Dentists Exposed to Asbestos Could Trigger Malignant Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Experts have recommended a new plan to warn dentists exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. Asbestos is toxic and cancer-causing for human beings. Dentists used asbestos in the manufacture of dental prostheses from the 1960s to 1970s. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after their exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear. Experts have recommended a new plan to prevent asbestos exposure in dentistry. This recommendation was created under the EuropeAid Assessment Guidelines. Experts also request the inclusion of the dental sector in the lists of professions with asbestos exposure….

Asbestos Exposure in Construction Workers Leads to Mesothelioma
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Asbestos Exposure in Construction Workers Leads to Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Asbestos exposure in construction workers remains a particular concern. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer with a global incidence. Italy is among the countries with the highest values of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is associated with exposures to asbestos fibers and other asbestiform fibers. Asbestos exposure in construction workers remains a particular concern. A new study describes the characteristics of Italian malignant mesothelioma cases among construction workers. Scientists analyzed 31,572 cases with definite asbestos exposure in the period from 1993 to 2018. Connecting Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in Construction Workers The relation between asbestos use and the historical trend of mesothelioma is clear. Italian scientists assessed asbestos exposure in 78.2% of the mesothelioma cases. This accounts for 24,864 of the patients studied….

Banning Asbestos Still Best Way to Prevent Mesothelioma
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Banning Asbestos Still Best Way to Prevent Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

A new Spanish report concludes that banning asbestos is the most effective way to prevent new cases of mesothelioma and asbestos-linked lung cancer.  Experts in epidemiology and occupational health conducted the research. Their report appears in a recent issue of the Spanish medical journal, Gaceta Sanitaria. The research shows that all types of asbestos raise the risk for lung cancer and mesothelioma and that some are extra dangerous. The study found that people exposed to needle-shaped amphibole asbestos fibers had the highest rates of illness.  They say the only way to fully protect people against both amphibole and serpentine asbestos (the other major category) is banning asbestos completely. Asbestos Restrictions in the US The US EPA, the Department of Health…