What are the biggest killers today in the Western world? Even though we continue to make advancements in medical science, we are still plagued by the big three killers – Cancer and Heart Disease.

The most shocking truth is that each of these can be avoided to some extent by a healthy lifestyle – in fact, risk is increased significantly due to poor diet and lack of exercise. For example, some of the biggest cancers are lung cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. The risk of developing each of these can be lowered simply by a change of lifestyle or adopting a healthier diet. Lung cancer is almost entirely caused by smoking, prostate cancer can be reduced by a healthy diet, especially one high in tomatoes, and rick of developing colon cancers is significantly increased with a diet high in red and processed meats. Likewise heart disease is almost entirely linked to a diet high in saturated fats and salt, i.e. junk food.

We have already covered what constitutes a healthy diet, as well as provided plenty of advice on how to exercise. But, some of our deadly killers are not caused by either diet or lifestyle. Still one of most dangerous forms of cancer is mesothelioma. Not many people even know what mesothelioma is, but its cause is commonly known now – asbestos. Asbestos related cancer, medically known as mesothelioma, is currently big business in America, as many people who become inflicted with this disease, are in a position to take legal action against employers or building contractors. This is obviously a much bigger issue in the States where there is no NHS (national health service), so cancer treatment has to be covered by medical health insurance. So, what is Mesothelioma, the asbestos cancer?

Spotlight on Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking. Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma.

Who is Most at Risk of Asbestos related cancer?

• Asbestos miners
• Construction workers
• Boilermakers
• Ship builders
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Demolition workers
• People who worked in other locations were asbestos was present
• People who lived near asbestos factories

The Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

How to Get Legal Aid if you are Diagnosed with Asbestos Cancer

If you have the misfortune of being diagnosed with mesothelioma, then it may be worthwhile seeking some good legal aid, as you may well be in a position to receive compensation from a previous employer.  There are obviously far too many lawyers to list, but here are a few with a good web presence that may be able to assist you:

• Lawyers.com Attorney directory and legal information for consumers from Martindale-Hubbell LexisNexis.
• LawGuru.com Directory of attorneys, legal resources, and legal forms.
• LawInfo.com Offers a searchable database to find attorneys, expert witnesses, paralegals, court reporters, and other legal support services.
• All Law Law resources, legal feature articles, and general information for the consumer. Also includes listings for local attorneys.
• Best Lawyers in America Provides a searchable list of the U.S. legal profession, compiled through evaluations by other attorneys and representing various specialties. Also publishes a biennial referral guide.

Other Resources on Asbestos Cancer and Mesothelioma

• Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers Fact sheet on mesothelioma from the National Cancer Institute.
• Mesothelioma.com Includes info on treatment of mesothelioma. Also provides resources for an individual’s diagnosis with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
• Mesothelioma Information Center Includes a gloassary and information about the different types of mesothelioma and related legal rights. A service of Baron & Budd, PC.
• Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center Provides those diagnosed and their families with a complete set of answers about asbestos, malignant mesothelioma, treatment options, and financial assistance.

Some health professionals are still calling the mesothelioma issue a health timebomb, with many people having been exposed to asbestos in construction industries throughout the world. The inhalation of toxic asbestos fibres causes many serious illnesses, including lung cancer, and asbestosis (also called pneumoconiosis) as well as malignant mesothelioma. Since the mid 1980s, many uses of asbestos have been banned in several countries.