Are You at Risk for Mesothelioma? What You Need to Know

According to the Mesothelioma Center, there will be approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma cases in the US at the end of 2025. Occupations and industries such as construction (remodeling and demolition), power plants and chemical refineries, merchant mariners, paper mills, shipyards and steel mills, and jobs involving boilers, pumps, piping or valves, and turbines, and US Navy and Coast Guard personnel are prone to mesothelioma risk.

For anyone who has a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, the 5-year survival rate is around 12%. It’s necessary to know how you can protect yourself from mesothelioma if you are working in the industries mentioned above as most at risk of this type of rare cancer.

 Let’s look at the causes, symptoms, and prevention of mesothelioma.

Understanding Mesothelioma and Its Causes

Mesothelioma is an uncommon yet very aggressive form of cancer primarily due to exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, even if it’s a short exposure. This cancer type usually affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.

Smoking can also put you at risk of mesothelioma, even if you did not come into contact with asbestos. Its symptoms include persistent chest pain, dry cough, or shortness of breath. Abdominal pain, bloating, and sudden and unexplainable weight loss are classic symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma.

Industries with High Asbestos Exposure Risk

 As mentioned, the industries that have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos are the construction sector, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Construction materials for insulation, floors, or roofs can contain asbestos, and shipbuilders typically deal with asbestos-containing products for insulation and fireproofing their ships. 

The automotive industry could also be in danger when it comes to brake pads and clutch works.

 If you belong to any of these industries, observe all precautionary measures. See to it that your workplace meets the safety standards designed for prevention of exposure to this deadly substance. 

Steps to Reduce Your Risk

 When there are noticeable mesothelioma symptoms, act right away to avoid further harm. Avoiding asbestos minimizes hazard. When construction or renovation is going on, use any safety reminders and don’t violate them. If it’s a house, go for an asbestos test, especially if it has been built before 1980. Contact a professional to remove asbestos when detected in your property.

Live healthily, eat nutritious food, exercise, and refrain from smoking.

Importance of Regular Health Screenings

Early health screenings are very important because they are one of the things that can help detect conditions such as mesothelioma much earlier.

Regular check-ups can also be a preventable measure to maintain your health. They can measure lung capacity, possibly perform imaging tests, and see early signs of mesothelioma, even before the presence of the symptoms.

Early detection of the disease can improve your treatment choices and enhance prognosis. Be proactive and do not wait for symptoms to develop.

Consult your doctor regarding the history of asbestos exposure and follow their recommended screening. Keep in mind that the earlier you address the symptoms after asbestos exposure, the better your chances of preventive treatment and living a healthy life. 

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