Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos. It frequently affects individuals who worked with asbestos, such as construction and industrial workers, as well as individuals who worked in environments where asbestos was prevalent. For example, individuals who served in the Navy and were exposed to high levels of asbestos in submarines and other ships.
Educate yourself about asbestos and mesothelioma so you can recognize the symptoms for yourself or a loved one if they appear. By understanding this condition, how it is caused, and how it can affect a patient, you can prepare yourself to handle it if it impacts your life. Below are a few common myths and misconceptions about mesothelioma.
It is easy to see where this myth comes from: many individuals affected by mesothelioma worked in construction and industrial jobs, which are held primarily by men. Moreover, the long latency period for symptoms to develop can easily lead a person to draw this conclusion. Asbestos was also used much more extensively during the early and middle twentieth century, so many of the people who developed the condition due to exposure on the job are now retired.
The truth is that although there are more male mesothelioma victims than female victims, anybody can be affected by mesothelioma. Children and wives of individuals exposed to asbestos can be exposed to the carcinogen via secondhand exposure on their fathers’ and husbands’ clothing. Furthermore, any individual who lived or worked in a building where asbestos was present can develop the condition.
Although mesothelioma often affects the lungs, it can also affect the abdominal cavity, the lining of the heart, and the lining of the testes. Mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma, is the most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma in the United States. Upwards of 75 percent of diagnosed cases of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma in the lining of the abdominal cavity is the second-most common, followed by pericardial mesothelioma in the heart’s lining, and testicular mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the testes.
In the United States, a rare condition is defined as one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans at a given time. Mesothelioma falls into this category. Approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are reported each year.
Although it is often associated with prolonged asbestos exposure, mesothelioma can develop in individuals with minimal asbestos exposure as well.
If you are suffering from mesothelioma or any other condition related to asbestos exposure, call our Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers to pursue compensation for your damages via an asbestos exposure claim. Complete our online form or call Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler at 215-569-4000 or toll-free at 800-369-0899 today to schedule your initial consultation in our Philadelphia offices. We proudly serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County, and New Jersey.
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