What causes mesothelioma? It is generally accepted that the most likely cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Research indicates that about 15% of cases are directly related to exposure to asbestos and that exposure to asbestos over an extended period of time can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma causes can be traced back to many different periods in history. Even though it is a rare form of cancer, about 400 people in the U.S. alone will be diagnosed with this form of cancer every year. The reasons for its rarity is due to the fact that it is nearly always fatal to most people.
The most common cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure that results in developing malignant mesothelioma or lung cancer. Approximately 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. About 20% of those cases are also caused by other forms of cancerous tissues, such as bladder and prostate cancer.
Studies have revealed that some of the risk factors associated with mesothelioma are related to occupation, race, gender, or age. The most important factors in determining mesothelioma causes include occupational exposure to asbestos as well as exposure to other carcinogens. The former is responsible for the majority of cases of mesothelioma and includes exposure to asbestos on a regular basis from jobs involving heavy construction.
Men who work as roofers, bricklayers, shingle repairers, or pipeline field workers are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Cancer risk in these types of workers can also be attributed to radiation exposure due to handling hazardous materials like asbestos. Some people who have been exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma as a result of their occupational exposure. Inaddition, exposure to asbestos can be responsible for increasing a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma.
Among the more common mesothelioma causes are smoking, exposure to asbestos, alcohol abuse, and exposure to multiple known carcinogens. Exposure to asbestos has been found to be the cause of mesothelioma. The risk of developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos may increase if a person has had a history of asbestos exposure. Most cases of mesothelioma are caused by long-term exposure to asbestos fibers. Another factor that contributes to mesothelioma is the presence of other cancerous tissues, such as bladder and prostate cancer.
Because mesothelioma causes often involve exposure to asbestos, the amount of asbestos present in the worker’s clothing can influence the rate of mesothelioma diagnosis. Workers who wear large numbers of asbestos shirts or pants at a time, such as workers who work with asbestos paint, building materials, or chemical products, are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Since so much asbestos is present in these types of materials, the more asbestos clothing a person wears, the greater the risk of developing mesothelioma.
For many people, there are many different factors that contribute to the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is necessary to be aware of the numerous causes of mesothelioma and take preventative measures to help reduce the risks of developing this type of cancer.
