Asbestos is a mineral silicate which has been used in the manufacture of several products throughout the years. It was also at one time widely used as a wall and pipe insulation in the construction of homes. The reason this silicate was widely used in because it has the ability to crystalize into several small bundles of fibers. When this is done, asbestos has the ability to be heat and chemical resistant.

The ability for asbestos to be both heat and chemical resistant made it a favorite with those in the manufacturing and building industries. All of this changed in more recent decades as the link between asbestos and cancer was found. Below is some information you should know about this harmful silicate.

How Asbestos Causes Cancer

Asbestos fibers enter in the body when they are inhaled. The fibers then get lodged in the respiratory tract and lungs. While a person can remove several of the fibers through coughing and the expelling it through mucus, many of the fibers become trapped in the body and can not come back out. These fibers are the ones which remain in the body and can cause the formation of the deadly cancer Mesothelioma.

About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that leaves its victims with a short life expectancy of only 1 to 2 years after it has been discovered. The development of the cancer is not seen until 15 to 40 years after a person has been exposed to asbestos fibers into their lungs.

Signs of Mesothelioma

When most people develop Mesothelioma, they generally have symptoms which can include pain in the chest, shortness of breath for no apparent reason, a persistent cough, and even a cough accompanied with bloody mucus. The reason for these symptoms is due to the fact this cancer causes the formation of tumors in the linings which surround the lungs called the pleura. These tumors can eventually spread to the other major organs of the body.

Cure and Treatment of Mesothelioma

As of today, there is no known cure for Mesothelioma. Several drugs have been developed which have been shown to slow the growth of Mesothelioma and research is still being done in search of a cure. Some of the dugs used to slow the growth of the cancerous tumors have been known to increase the life expectancy of some Mesothelioma patients who take them.

Avoiding Asbestos

To avoid asbestos exposure, you should examine your living and working conditions. Many people have jobs which place them at a high risk for asbestos inhalation. These jobs can include some of those in construction, ship yard, manufacturing, automotive industry. Do some research about where you work to find out if you are at risk or if you are being protected from possible exposure.

You should also consider your home as a possible thereat for asbestos exposure if it was built between the early 1900’s and the late 1970’s. This is because these are the years when asbestos was widely used as home insulation. If you suspect you may have asbestos in your home contact a professional asbestos testing company.