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Mesothelioma: Causes and Risk Factors

If you have a high risk factor for asbestos exposure, then you should know about the mesothelioma causes and risk factors.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer in which malignant cells will develop in the mesothelium, which is a lining that covers and protects the majority of your body’s internal organs.

Asbestos exposure and rate of Mesothelioma incidence

It is important that you should know about the mesothelioma causes and risk factors if you or anyone you know lives or works in an environment with considerable asbestos exposure.

Medical and scientific studies have proven that the mesothelioma causes and risk factors are high for people who have regular or long-term exposure to asbestos. The studies showed that asbestos exposure is the cause of about 80% of mesothelioma cases.

Some people have a very high risk of getting mesothelioma. One of the highest rates of mesothelioma incidences occurred among workers with constant exposure to asbestos or any of its components. They include workers in the industries of automotive, building and housing, railroad, power plants, shipbuilding, and in asbestos mines.

People who live near naturally occurring asbestos and factories that emit asbestos can also have high rates of mesothelioma incidences. However, there are other mesothelioma causes and risk factors for people who have no history of exposure to asbestos.

Other Mesothelioma causes and risk factors:

1. Non-asbestos mineral fibers – Research studies established the connection between exposure to non-asbestos mineral fibers such as erionite and taconite and several documented cases of mesothelioma.

2. Radiation exposure – Medical studies showed that several mesothelioma patients with no history of asbestos exposure have a common history of constant radiation exposure such as x-rays and radiation therapy.

3. Simian Virus 40 – This strain of virus was part of the Polio vaccines given to many people in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Medical literature has established the link for several cases of mesothelioma patients who also got the vaccines containing the Simian Virus 40 strain.

Medical studies have also identified several minor risk factors for Mesothelioma but not related to asbestos exposure. The minor risk factors include chronic inflammation, injuries to the chest, genetic predisposition, and exposure to organic chemicals.

Now that you know about the basic Mesothelioma causes and risk factors and the rate of incidence for this disease, you should not stop there. If you, a family member or relative, or a friend is afflicted with this illness, you can further educate yourself about it.

You can read books, magazines, and other publication materials, and search the Internet for other information on mesothelioma. Moreover, try if you can contact any mesothelioma support groups in your area and try to join them. Support groups will give you a personal approach to see and feel the experiences of other cancer victims.