Kansas Mesothelioma Lawyer

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Approximately 2,000-3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in the United States. Mesothelioma affects the lining called the mesothelium of the lungs, heart, and abdomen, which typically produces a fluid that allows the organs to move, as is the case with the lungs, which move during breathing. The aggressive cancer causes the cells of the lining to divide rapidly, which results in a thickening of the membrane, a fluid buildup, and the formation of tumors. Such actions cause complications like lung failure, heart failure, and strokes, depending on the affected organ. Oftentimes, symptoms are attributed to more common aliments, like the flu, a cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis.

It would be easy for anyone to confuse the warning signs with typical sicknesses, because the symptoms include painful coughing, dry coughs, or coughing up blood. In addition, one might experience difficulty swallowing and breathing, or shortness of breath. Fever, night sweats, a loss of appetite, and weight loss are also signals that be easily confused with less serious illnesses. Since the warning signs are misinterpreted, the majority of patients do not receive accurate diagnoses until the later stages of cancer. Thus, the average survival rate for patients is, on average, one year after the diagnosis. Early detection is always best when treating cancer, and mesothelioma is no different.

While there is no known cure for mesothelioma, treatments and medical advances are providing hope for many patients and their families. Currently, the treatment options attempt to combat further cancer development and to ease the affects of cancer. Some of the common treatments are drug therapy, surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, alternative medicines such as acupuncture and vitamin supplements, and radiation, usually offered individually or in combination with another method. Unfortunately, these treatments would be more effective if the cancer had be detected earlier on.

The latency period of mesothelioma development is partly to blame for overlooking some symptoms. This describes the time period between exposure and when the disease become noticeable. Mesothelioma's latency period can be anywhere from 20-50 years. Therefore, those people exposed to some known causes, such as asbestos, in the 1950s-70s are only now experiencing some warning signals. The average mesothelioma patient is 65 years of age, which proves that people live with the developing cancer for many years before becoming gravely sick.

Asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, can settle into the tissue called the mesothelium that surrounds the organs, and cannot be broken down by the body, or coughed out. The irritation and inflammation of the tissue causes irreversible scarring and cellular damage which eventually results in cancer. Thus the cellular damage leads to uncontrollable cell cycles, and cancerous cellular division. Then the membranes begins to thicken, and fluid starts to build up, causing difficulty breathing. Tumors eventually form from the growing mass. There is an overwhelming amount of scientific and medical evidence that asbestos is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects approximately 2,000-3,000 Americans each year. This form of cancer attacks the lining called the mesothelium that surrounds the body's internal organs, such as the heart, and stomach. In a healthy body, the mesothelium protects the organs by producing a fluid that lubricates them, allowing them to move smoothly, as the lungs do during breathing. However, when asbestos is inhaled or ingested, it is lodged in the tissue and causes cellular damage. The irritation and inflammation from the asbestos cause irreversible scarring to the cells and the uncontrollable division of cells can lead to cancer and the development of tumors. It is believed that 80 percent of all mesothelioma cases are directly caused by asbestos.

During the twentieth century, asbestos was widely used in many industries because of its resitance to heat and fire. Prevalent uses of asbestos could be found in aluminum plants, chemical plants, oil refineries, shipyards, and construction sites, to name a few. In the mid-1970s, the United States government decided to begin regulating the amount asbestos used in certain products, and the way that people are exposed to it. Mesothelioma has a latency period that can vary by case anywhere from 20-50 years. The latency period can be defined as the time from which the exposure occurred, and noticeable warning signs are apparent.

Since this disease has a long latency period, the warning signs are often misinterpreted by the patient. The symptoms are similar to those of common illnesses, such as pneumonia, the flu, a cold, or even bronchitis. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma, and occurs in the chest cavity. Typical symptoms are dry coughs, painful coughing, chest pains, and coughing up blood. Other signals might be shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, fever, loss of appetite, or weight loss. Unfortunately, because these signs are overlooked, a diagnosis is not often made until the late stages of cancer have set in. Hence, the survival expectancy is approximately one year after diagnosis. In addition, the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 65, which can be attributed to the fact that the symptoms can take such a long time to develop. As with all forms of cancer, early detection and treatments are essential to survival.

The treatments for mesothelioma can be one or a combination of common cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Some patients are trying alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, and vitamin supplements in addition to the more common methods. Overall the patient's age and physical health are all factors to be considering when selecting a treatment to fight cancer. As for mesothelioma, since there is no known cure, the treatments hope to extend the life period, and ease the symptoms caused by the cancer.

Approximately 80 percent of all asbestos related mesothelioma cases are directly related to occupational exposure. If you or a loved one suffers from mesothelioma that is a result of unhealthy job site condition, you may want to consider contacting an attorney to discuss your rights. Everyone should have the right to a healthy work environment that does not jeopardize your health. As with all illnesses, the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering can be financially and emotionally taxing. You may be entitled to compensation from your former employers, a process which an experienced Kansas attorney can help you navigate. Thousands are not only fighting the cancer battle, but the battle with American industries that harm innocent workers. Find a lawyer today, and learn more about what can be done for you and your family.

Sadly, approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma cases can be directly linked to job sites with asbestos exposure. Throughout the twentieth century, asbestos was used in many industries because of its resiliency to heat, fire, and electricity. Not until the mid-1970s did the government decide to regulate the use of asbestos because of it's dangerous risks. Some industries were relied heavily on asbestos containing materials, and many are prevalent in Kentucky. In fact over 700,000 buildings nationwide still contain asbestos today, many of them in Kentucky. It can be scary to think that you or maybe a loved one has been exposed to a deadly mineral like asbestos that could jeopardize your health.

For this reason, you may consider contacting an experienced Kentucky lawyer that determine the validity of your case. If you were exposed to asbestos and are now experiencing mesothelioma-like symptoms you my be a victim of occupational hazards. Everyone has the right to a healthy work environment, or at least the safety equipment necessary to work without risk. You and your family might be entitled to monetary compensation to cover the overwhelming medical bills. There are many experienced and helpful attorneys right here in the state of Kentucky.

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