What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a very painful and deadly form of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. It affects the mesothelium which is the protective lining around the body’s internal organs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, affects the lining that surrounds the lungs. You can also have peritoneal mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma which is cancer of the protective sac around the heart.
Is mesothelioma contagious?
No, you cannot catch mesothelioma from someone, but people who have lived together often develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses due to shared exposure to asbestos. Obviously, if the home was built with asbestos, anyone who has lived in it may develop mesothelioma.
More confusing is second hand exposure to asbestos. People who are exposed to asbestos outside of the home, usually at work, can bring the fibers home with them in their clothing. That puts the entire household at risk. Most often, the person who regularly does the household laundry is exposed in this way.
Does smoking cause mesothelioma?
No, smoking does not cause mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is not the same thing as lung cancer, but it is easy to confuse the two. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining the surrounds the lungs rather than the lung tissue itself. Modern medical tests can differentiate between the two types of cancer.
How do you get mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is caused asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are very tiny and sharp. In most cases, asbestos gets into the body by inhalation, but it can also be ingested. Those at the highest risk for mesothelioma are people who are heavily exposed at work. You can also be exposed at home, at school, or even in places where the mineral is naturally occurring. The symptoms of mesothelioma normally do not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or any asbestos-related illness, please call our California asbestos attorneys or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our mesothelioma lawyers is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a mesothelioma lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.