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Prevention
mesothelioma:
Since the 1970s, the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration have regulated the asbestos industry in
the U.S. In the past, asbestos was used as a fire retardant and
an insulator. Other information mesotheliomas are now used in its place. The
controversy involving exposure to different forms of asbestos
continues.
There are two major types of asbestos: chrysotile and amphibole.
It is thought that exposure to the amphibole form is more likely
to cause mesothelioma. However, chrysotile has been used more
frequently, hence many mesotheliomas are caused by chrysotile.
Removal is taking place in schools and other public buildings
throughout the U.S. The hope is that these measures will greatly
reduce the occurrence of this cancer.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
A mesothelioma is
a highly aggressive tumor that is generally deadly. Current
treatment of malignant mesothelioma is designed to make the
person with cancer comfortable. Although long-term survival
cannot usually be expected, the case of famed paleontologist
Stephen Jay Gould is a noted exception.
What are the risks to others?
Mesothelioma is not contagious and
cannot be passed from one person to another. The exposure to the
asbestos that caused the cancer occurred many years to several
decades before the disease appeared. People who live with
asbestos workers have a higher risk of getting this cancer.
What happens once treatment is over?
Although mesothelioma is
very unpleasant it's still important for person after treatment
is over to keep up all follow-up appointments and that's vital
because further testing is always needed to check whether cancer
is coming back or to examine possible side effects that could be
rather unpleasant and what's even worse permanent.
Others Information:
- What is the mesothelium?
- How common is mesothelioma?
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What
are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
- What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
- How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
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