Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous, silicate mineral. This means that asbestos occurs as microscopic glass fibers. Humans have sporadically used asbestos as a building material since prehistory. However, the Industrial Revolution led to much more widespread mining, manufacturing, and distribution of the mineral.

Asbestos was valued during the industrial revolution because of its useful properties. The mineral is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. This makes asbestos perfect for fireproofing and insulation. During the Industrial Revolution, builders often used it to fireproof and thermally insulate buildings.

Evidence began to surface more than a century ago that asbestos could cause serious illnesses, including a range of lung diseases and cancers. Most governments have banned the mineral due to concerns of health problems. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer from asbestos exposure. Companies continue to pay out millions of dollars in asbestos lawsuit settlements, even after they’ve entered bankruptcy and are no longer in business.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the chest cavity. While it is not a lung cancer per se, the cancer grows in such a way that it harms the lung, and many of the symptoms of mesothelioma relate to the lungs. The cancer can cause the buildup of fluid in the chest cavity, causing pain and difficulty breathing, and may result to bloody cough. Many of the other symptoms are more general cancer symptoms, as seen when it spreads to other parts of the body. This includes anemia, weakness, and fatigue.

This type of cancer is seen almost exclusively with people exposed to asbestos. Extremely rarely, mesothelioma may be linked to radiation exposure or inhaling other silicate minerals. Because of this, the cancer often shows up in people who once worked with asbestos. The disease is often seen in construction workers, shipbuilders, and other occupations that involved exposure to the mineral.

Prognosis and Outcome

Mesothelioma takes years after asbestos to manifest. It is virtually unheard of in the first 15 years post-exposure. It is most often to see mesothelioma in 20 to 50 years after the exposure. The risk seems to peak around 30.

>>File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Despite some recent advances, the outlook for a patient with mesothelioma is bleak. More than two-thirds pass within two years. However, some of the more lucky patients can survive for years with an grueling combination of radiation, aggressive chemotherapy, and invasive therapy. This subset of patients can live from 3 to 15 years with intensive medical care. This route is not an easy one, but many people are willing to trade pain and suffering for extra years of life.

Take Action Now

Many people with mesothelioma have used the legal system to seek relief. Asbestos lawsuits typically allege that various companies were aware of the risks associated with the mineral, and that companies continue to use it, or employ insufficient safeguards to protect employees from the fibers.

If you, or someone you care about, developed mesothelioma, you have almost certainly been through a trying ordeal. This disease is a life-changing event, and carries serious emotional and financial burdens. When facing chronic and terminal illness, many people lapse into depression.