Mesothelioma is a caner which generally does not manifest symptoms until two to five decades after a person has been exposed to some type of mesothelioma risk factor. Since this cancer takes so long to manifest itself tying to identify all of the risk associated with the disease were historically hard to identify. With extensive studies and advanced technology we now know more than ever about what puts a person at risk of getting mesothelioma.

Asbestos Risk

Over three quarters of the cases of mesothelioma cases are attributed to a person having past asbestos exposure. This is because it was common for asbestos to be used in several industries and to insulate buildings from beginning of the 1900s to the 1960s. Since mesothelioma takes so long to manifest itself in a person it was not until the late 1990’s that a conclusive link was made between the exposure to asbestos and this cancer.

When people worked in situations where they have has direct contact with asbestos without proper protective breathing gear or have lived and worked in buildings containing asbestos they have been at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. When asbestos fibers are inhaled by a person they are then at risk of developing mesothelioma. This is mainly because the cancer causing asbestos fibers can not be expelled from the lungs and get embedded into them.

Naturally Occurring Asbestos Risk

There are areas around the world where asbestos has been found to naturally occur in high quarantines. Often the asbestos in these areas enter the water supply used by humans. If the area is remote and does not have advanced forms of water purification then those who live in these areas can ingest the asbestos through the water they drink or the food which they consume. The ingestion of the asbestos is the cause of these people being at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.

Area which have shown to have high percentages of mesothelioma due to naturally occurring asbestos include counties such as Turkey and others in Eastern block Europe.

Increased Risk with Smokers

While studiers have proven that smoking is the cause of various types of cancers it has not been shown to be the cause of mesothelioma. Although is has been found that people who smoke and have been expose to mesothelioma risk factors have been shown to have an increased chance of developing this type of cancer.

Risk from Close Contact

Those who have direst or close contact with other who have been exposed to asbestos fibers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because inhaling and ingesting even a low dose of asbestos fibers over a short period of time can cause the disease to develop.