Mesothelioma Awareness: Understanding Risk Factors and Early Detection

Regular Medical Exams are Crucial for Women with a History of Asbestos Exposure

Although practically every woman has heard of asbestos, few women are familiar with the cancers this naturally occurring mineral causes, especially the aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma. Knowing the risk factors and early warning signs of mesothelioma can empower women to help them catch the disease in its earliest stages of development.

The term "asbestos" refers to a class of naturally occurring minerals that have been mined around the world and used in thousands of commercial and domestic products. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the lining of the abdomen and heart.

There is no standard cure for mesothelioma, but for those who have survived the cancer, early detection was the key to their survival. Mesothelioma is primarily treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Experimental procedures such as immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy and gene therapy are also being used to treat mesothelioma patients. Because these treatments are largely still in the experimental stage, they are typically only available through clinical trials.

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can also cause other cancers in women – lung cancer is another form of asbestos-induced cancer and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) newly confirmed in March 2009 that asbestos exposure also causes ovarian cancer.

Most women are exposed to asbestos by means of secondary exposure, where a spouse or loved one brings home asbestos fibers from their place of work. However, a number of women are also exposed occupationally in the workplace or environmentally if they live in an area with naturally occurring asbestos.

Early Detection and Mesothelioma Prevention

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma typically arise in the latest stages of development, meaning there effectively are little to no early warning signs for this disease. Because it takes anywhere between 20 and 50 years to develop mesothelioma after initial exposure to asbestos, it is crucial for those with previous asbestos exposure to receive regular medical checkups to check for internal signs of mesothelioma.

Although there are little to no early warning signs for mesothelioma, it is however important to understand symptoms in case they arise. Symptoms of mesothelioma to watch out for include persistent dry or raspy cough, shortness of breath, painful breathing, difficulty swallowing, and night sweats or fever.

It is also important to note a form of mesothelioma that affects women, known as well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma, has a history of being initially misdiagnosed as a gynecological cancer. For this reason, any woman with a history of asbestos exposure should understand the risk factors to help prevent a misdiagnosis.

The most effective way to prevent mesothelioma is to avoid asbestos exposure at all costs. Those currently concerned about asbestos exposure in their home or workplace can seek proper protection, such as protective clothing and respirators, to prevent dangerous exposure. But for those who have already been exposed to asbestos, it is vital to inform doctors of exposure history and seek regular medical exams. It’s also important for women exposed to asbestos to maintain healthy habits and never smoke cigarettes.

Additional information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.