Mesothelioma is an incurable type of cancer that mainly affects the pleural membrane of the lungs and the abdomen. It is characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, coughing blood and unexplainable weight loss. These are just a few symptoms of the disease.
Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. This is a substance that is abundant in mining sites therefore miners are the most exposed to the substance. Studies have proven that exposure to this substance leads to different types of mesothelioma. But, how exactly does asbestos cause mesothelioma?
A group of magnesium silicates with fibrous structures is actually what asbestos is. Due to its fibrous nature, asbestos can easily separate. These are usually very small and light particles that easily suspend in air. These fibers are either straight or curved. The straight fibers are more likely to cause disease than the curved ones. During the manufacturing and mining processes, asbestos can be disintegrated and become airborne. The people around such environments inhale the fiber and they are deposited in the lungs. The situation gets worse if the place is poorly ventilated.
The body easily gets rid of the fibers via coughing. One simply coughs and the fibers are taken to the throat in form of mucus where one can either spit out the mucus or swallow it, then released via normal egestion. However, not all the fibers are usually removed from the lungs. The remaining fibers usually get into the air sacs, the alveoli, a point where oxygen and carbon dioxide are usually interchanged into and out of the bloodstream. These fibers remain in the lungs for the longest time possible. They also settle at the lower part of the lungs and the big muscle that moves the lungs when breathing, the diaphragm. During their stay in the lungs, the asbestos fibers tend to damage them. The process is usually gradual and unnoticed until after a minimum of 15 years.
The fibers, which are dominating the pleural cavity, attack the mesothelium. This is a tissue which lines the lung cavity. It is normally moist, flexible and thin to allow for ample gaseous exchange. The asbestos usually enter the walls of the mesothelium and irritate the cells. As a result, the mesothelium counter attacks by forming a scar tissue. However, after some time, the scar tissues keep forming and lead to an uncontrolled growth of cells, causing cancer.
The fibers also interfere with cell division in the mesothelium, especially mitosis. The cells DNA is damaged and the growth and reproduction process tampered with. Since there is uncontrolled cell reproduction, there is a massive uncontrolled cell growth, leading to cancer.
In conclusion, it is medically proven that asbestos causes mesothelioma. It is important that one avoids the substances. If one works at a manufacturing or mining company, protective gear should be worn.
Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Report. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.
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