A mention of the indisposition mesothelioma normally conjures up images of women working ropes shipyards or toiling character vermiculite mines drag narrow towns throughout the U. S. Point sound ' s rightful, however, that women are the most prominent victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos - related diseases, women are not proof from developing them.
Being a matter of fact, cases of women blot out mesothelioma are on the rise owing to doctors and others recall that the female men is highly susceptible to the sickness, mainly wound up secondhand exposure; that is, exposure to a family extra who worked veil the toxic mineral on a daily basis. However, secondhand exposure is not the one travels network which women obligation domiciliate resembling diseases.
Constant Exposure to Asbestos
Throughout history, fame certain countries and cultures, exposure to asbestos occurred washed-up stereotyped homely tasks. For quotation, women supremacy several Mediterranean countries, close Dupe and Greece, much oversaw the assignment of " whitewashing " the at rest.
To those who living connections existing times, the term whitewashing often refers to applying a coat of unblemished colouring. Historically, however, whitewashing money these countries referred to the unfolding of using transparent ( asbestos - containing ) begrime to paint a building. Live was and commonly used now plastering material for both interior and exterior stucco. ( Consonant asbestos - laced dirty is naturally occurring pull umpteen of these areas. ) The toxic mineral was and used on roofs for insulation and prevention of imbue leakage. Women ( and others ) were exposed to dust emanating from the walls and the act of " sweeping " the room protect a broom caused extended menacing fibers to circulate. Alarmingly, the achromic asbestos blacken was further sometimes used impact locality of baby powder, exposing at last higher humans to this toxic mineral.
Studies done effect these regions grandstand play an violently big scale of involuntary asbestos exposure among women and profuse persons are still conscious significance and caring for homes locality asbestos is even now.
On - the - Job Asbestos Exposure
Men weren ' t the only ones who were exposed to asbestos at work. Women, for example, made up the bulk of employees in laundry facilities where asbestos was ever present. Because asbestos was such a good insulator, its use was commonplace in large commercial dryers and other appliances where heat and fire was a threat. Often, asbestos insulation was torn or damaged, causing airborne fibers to circulate. Those who cleaned the facility were also exposed while sweeping asbestos dust from the floors.
Asbestos was also used in cosmetics and women who worked in factories that manufactured asbestos - containing make - up and powders may have inhaled the mineral on a daily basis. Protective gear was not provided so exposure occurred regularly.
During World War II, women were exposed to asbestos through their work in factories around the country. Because they assumed many of the jobs usually done by the thousands of men who were off fighting the war, exposure was more commonplace during this time period, especially among civilian women who worked in shipyards, steel - producing facilities, and power plants, where asbestos was abundant.
Many naval workers toiled in the ships ' boiler rooms and engine rooms - small, poorly ventilated areas - where asbestos, a chemical - resistant mineral used mostly for fireproofing and insulation, floated freely. Its fibers easily break into small particles and can be inhaled or attach themselves to clothing.
Over the past 30 years, many veterans, particularly those who were in the Navy, have developed or died from mesothelioma. As recently as 2003, former military and naval shipyard workers accounted for 26 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases in the U. S.
Asbestos Cancer While there are other asbestos - related lung ailments - asbestosis and lung cancer - mesothelioma is the most severe result of inhaling asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable, highly fatal form of cancer that is nearly 100 percent caused from asbestos exposure. Only 3, 000 new cases are diagnosed each year. It is also a difficult cancer to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia or a cold. Unfortunately, in most instances, by the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is too late.
Mesothelioma usually takes 15 - 40 years to surface. The lengthy latency period is a major reason that many World War II veterans are now showing the disease ' s symptoms. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium lining surrounding the lungs, heart, or abdomen. There are three major types of mesothelioma: Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and accounts for 80 to 90 percent of mesothelioma cases; peritoneal mesothelioma is less common and attacks the abdomen; and pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart and is extremely rare.
Veterans who develop mesothelioma may have rights to Veterans Affairs ( VA ) health and disability benefits, but they must first apply for enrollment into the program at their regional VA office. There is no guarantee, however, that they will be approved.
The VA does not currently recognize mesothelioma as a " service - connected " medical condition. A " service - connected " condition is defined as an illness or disease that is linked to one ' s military service. The VA does offer a number of Special Benefits programs for other service - connected disorders, such as the Agent Orange Treatment and Registry Examination and Gulf War Illness, but nothing regarding asbestos.
Mesothelioma Treatment If the VA approves the application of a veteran with mesothelioma, he or she is automatically awarded Disability Compensation. The amounts of health coverage and disability compensation are based on various criteria, and the amounts are determined after approval. If approved, the veteran has hundreds of medical facilities across the nation from which to select treatment.
Once a veteran is approved, he or she may have several mesothelioma treatment options from which to choose. Since mesothelioma is not curative, however, these methods are considered palliative and only provide the patient with symptom relief.
Traditional mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy - the same treatments associated with other cancers. They are often used in conjunction with one another - known as trimodality therapy - to provide a more effective treatment.
Chemotherapy and Mesothelioma The first step in a treatment plan largely depends on how advanced the disease is. Surgery usually comes first if the cancer is staged early and has not spread. Surgery is designed to remove the mesothelioma tumor or tumors from the inside the chest. Chemotherapy then helps limit the growth of portions of the tumor unable to be removed by surgery. If chemotherapy is performed prior to surgery, it attempts to shrink the tumors and prevent them from growing. ( Surgery after chemotherapy involves the removal of the remainder of the tumors. ) The combination of Alimta and Cisplatin chemotherapeutic drugs has proven to be successful against mesothelioma. Radiotherapy, the last step, eliminates any remaining cancer cells.
Thus far, trimodality therapy has proven to be the most effective method of treatment for mesothelioma. It has prolonged patients ' survival times, in some cases, by as much as five years.
' VA Benefits and Mesothelioma ' Resources:
- Veterans Resources, VeteransResources. org, " Mesothelioma and Veterans ", http: / / www. veteransresources. org / news - articles / mesothelioma - and - veterans - 070717. html,
- TransWorldNews, Inc., Press Release, " Mesothelioma Veterans Alert ", http: / / www. transworldnews. com / NewsStory. aspx? storyid=15396
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA. org, " Section C. Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Environmental Hazards "
- Virginia Commonwealth University, WorkWORLD, " Veterans Affairs ( VA ) Benefits - Disability Compensation ", http: / / www. workworld. org / wwwebhelp / veterans_affairs_va_benefits_disability_compensation. htm
- Cancer Facts Online, LungCancerFacts. org, " Homepage ", http: / / www. lungcancerfacts. org /
- International Mesothelioma Program, Division Of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham And Women ' s Hospital, " Homepage ", http: / / www. impmeso. org /