Pleural Mesothelioma Is A Rare Lung Cancer That Results From Exposure To Asbestos

Asbestos in the Marines

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare lung cancer that results from exposure to asbestos. Many of the people who have been exposed to asbestos have a risk of developing this cancer.Unfortunately marines veterans have a SIGNIFICANTLY higher risk of developing this disease. Since a number of military used asbestos products in step, exposure was inevitable for many of them.

Exposure

From 1940 to 1970 the military used asbestos in different situations. Marine personnel have been exposed to moderate levels of asbestos in their barracks because they were built with materials containing such material. Since any change in these materials can cause the fibers to be moved from their original position, they can then be suspended in the air. This suspension of particles can then be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs.

The Marines may have been equally exposed to asbestos because of their involvement with the navy in specific missions. The navy ships and shipyards were filled with materials containing asbestos because this item ships required fire given its characteristics. Since asbestos is a mineral with tough conditions that are commonly used for construction have no fire hazard. The Marines were exposed to asbestos frequently in trips that were by the sea, because as said the boats were then used manufactured products containing asbestos.

Results

Pleural mesothelioma can remain asleep for a long time without showing symptoms. As these latent cancers develop after decades of latency and veterans were diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease. The Marines who were exposed to asbestos began to notice symptoms decades later. In many cases the latency period may last 20 to 50 years.In addition, any individual who has been exposed once to asbestos can develop a pleural mesothelioma many years later.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may resemble other diseases so physicians may have difficulty in giving an immediate diagnosis, those who have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in its last stage has a very short life expectancy, they will have limited options treatment. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should undergo routine medical checkups.