Mesothelioma Causes – What You Need to Know
Mesothelioma causes are becoming a matter of much interest in the United States and throughout the world. Because of this, the primary cancer research organizations have dedicated themselves to finding out the causes of this cancer and develop ways to prevent it.
The question is, “What is the cause of mesothelioma?” In the case of mesothelioma the cause is cancerous cells in the lining of the mesothelial cell. These malignant cells are not usually caught from the site of the disease, although this is quite possible with the changing advances in detection methods.
Mesothelioma causes may be due to many factors. Some people are at higher risk for developing this disease, and others may be affected by it through no fault of their own. However, we know that asbestos exposure is the main cause of this form of cancer.
Asbestos is used in most buildings. It is in roofing shingles, floor tiles, pipe insulation, ceiling tile, and more. The problem with asbestos is that it is extremely poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause cancerous growths that often appear as small tumors under the lungs and lymph nodes.
Studies show that people who are exposed to asbestos over an extended period of time are at higher risk for getting this disease than those who are not exposed to the material. The main cause of this is exposure to the material while doing jobs that expose them to the material, such as roofing shingles, making pipes and chimneys, and more.
The other types of mesothelioma causes include exposure to certain chemicals and radiation. Since the main issue with this type of cancer is exposure to toxic substances, one would naturally think that most workplace accidents are the cause.
However, a recent study revealed that small amounts of a chemical called thallium was found in the lungs of most workers who were exposed to asbestos. Thallium is known to cause mesothelioma. Therefore, even though the exposure itself is generally considered to be the cause, the small amount found in the lungs proves that other factors are involved.
Now that you have learned about mesothelioma causes, you will probably be able to identify some of the factors that contribute to it. While most workers are at a lower risk for this disease, those who work in construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding can still be at risk.
