Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, the thin membrane of tissue that covers the inside wall of the chest and abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen, but pleural mesothelioma which affects the chest and lungs is more common. In most cases this terminal form of cancer is caused by inhaling asbestos dust.

Asbestos

Used in industry, insulation and many other trades for decades, Asbestos is a mineral fibre which is made up of tiny glass-like strands. These strands can be inhaled or ingested in to the body in the form of dust, often with extremely serious effects. Because the body’s natural defences are unable to deal with these tiny fibres properly, they can be present in the body, particularly the chest, for years and years afterwards.

Many people who have worked around asbestos in the past are only just beginning to notice serious health problems, which may be traced back to asbestos dust exposure. Asbestos was linked to mesothelioma in 1960, just one of many extremely serious illnesses which can be caused by inhaling asbestos dust. Other illnesses include asbestosis and pleural thickening.

Builders, plumbers and electricians are at risk from asbestos related illnesses like mesothelioma, but so too are others who have worked with lagging, heating, and insulation, as well as in industry and manufacture. However asbestos does not always affect people who have been around it directly. Working in the same place or washing overalls covered in asbestos dust may still put people at risk of inhaling asbestos fibres.

Mesothelioma

Asbestos dust has been linked to 90% of mesothelioma cases, most commonly in pleural mesothelioma, which is cancer of the pleural lining in the chest. This is extremely aggressive cancer which affects the breathing, and while symptoms can be managed, sufferers may only have six to twelve months after diagnosis.

The pleural lining which mesothelioma can affect runs between the inner and outer layers of the chest cavity, and creates fluid which allows the layers to slide over each other properly when the lungs expand and contract. However mesothelioma causes the pleura to become thicker and fluid can build up around the lungs, restricting their ability to expand and causing breathlessness.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma can be very hard for a doctor to diagnose, and it can take several visits to the hospital to make sure that it is present. Symptoms include chest pain, weight loss and breathing difficulty, although this can apply to many other illnesses and it can often take some time and several tests to make sure that mesothelioma is present.
Anyone who suspects that they may have an asbestos-related illness should see their GP, who can recommend the best course of action to take.

There is no current cure for mesothelioma, however the symptoms of the cancer can be managed with professional medical help. Painkillers, steroids and medication to assist the digestive system and the breathing can all help to control the symptoms of the illness, while fluid build up in the chest can be managed to assist breathing.

Treatment of mesothelioma, like any form of cancer, is down to each individual case. It may be that treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is recommended by a doctor to try to treat the cancer itself.

Compensation

A diagnosis of cancer like mesothelioma can be life-shattering, and communicating with friends, family and medical professionals is crucial. If it is found that the illness was caused by exposure to asbestos while working for an employer, it may be possible to claim damages due to negligence.

Unfortunately due to the terminal nature of the cancer, in many cases compensation claims have been made posthumously. Bereaved family members are able to make a claim within three years of the death of a loved one due to mesothelioma, if it can be proven that this was the cause of death.

If you believe that you or a loved one should be compensated for very serious health problems or forms of cancer like mesothelioma which relate to asbestos exposure, Atrium Legal Services can help.  Talk to us on 0800 840 1541, or email info@atriumlegal.com.