By Danny DeCota
Mesothelioma is a cancer of lung tissue that is connected to exposure to asbestos. Anything that can increase the possibility that you would get a disease is a risk factor. With mesothelioma, just being near it for prolonged and extended periods could lead to this deadly cancer. It can occur from living in homes where asbestos is used, but it also occurs in a wide range of industries.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, you can get help from the legal community to seek justice for your asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Exposure
One UK study indicated veterans that attributed their mesothelioma to working in the military. Private sector companies are impacted as well, from ship workers to asbestos abatement companies whose purpose is to remove asbestos from buildings and products due to its risks.
Asbestos is both fire-resistant and heat-resistant which once made it a good product to use for heating buildings. In addition to the military and asbestos abatement, there are a number of industries this use has impacted.
- Miners
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Ships and shipyard employees
- Contractors and construction workers
- Brake mechanics
Risk Factors
You can be at risk for mesothelioma without being exposed to asbestos. However, if you have been exposed to asbestos and have other risk factors, your chance of getting mesothelioma has increased.
Smoking, genetics, and radiation exposure are all common risk factors for mesothelioma. Smoking is not known to cause mesothelioma on its own, but could with asbestos exposure raise the possibility of you getting this cancer.
Radiation exposure as well can cause this. When radiation is given, cancerous tumors are killed, but scar tissue is left behind. It is this scar tissue that could develop into mesothelioma, especially if you have other risk factors.
Genetics plays a role in mesothelioma as well. A gene called the BAP1 has a mutation string on it that could lead to mesothelioma.
Get Help From Experts
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and have been exposed to asbestos, you may have grounds for a claim or lawsuit. You did not choose this cancer. In many cases, private companies develop trust funds after they supply the military with products or construction contracts with products containing asbestos.
Those trust funds are mesothelioma trust funds that help people exposed to asbestos and living with mesothelioma. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, cost of living, and health care. Get help from a mesothelioma lawyer offering a free consultation so that you can see if you have a claim.
