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Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Facts

Asbestosis

Facts

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. This condition leads to lung tissue damage that includes scarring and lung stiffness. Asbestosis is a non-malignant, long-term disease that can promote mesothelioma's onset. Below are some interesting asbestosis facts.

Fact 1: Asbestosis patients have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than those without asbestosis.

Fact 2: Asbestosis can advance very fast in just 7 years. In many other cases, it can take up to 20 years.

Fact 3: In 1995 - 2004 there have been recorded more than 13,000 U.S. asbestosis deaths.

Fact 4: The first asbestosis diagnosis detailed in medical literature was made by an English doctor in 1924.

Fact 5: Asbestosis is not a type of cancer, though it can raise the risk of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Fact 6: According to the A.P.H.A., asbestosis was identified as the main cause of death for more than 9,000 people.

Fact 7: According to the W.H.O 125 million people in the world today are exposed to asbestos at the workplace.

Fact 8: It is estimated that 1.3 million general industry workers in the U.S. are exposed to asbestos each year.

Fact 9: Men over 40 are more likely to develop the disease if they have been subject to long periods of exposure.

Fact 10: Asbestosis incidence depends on the exposure dose; a cumulative dose of 10 fiber-year/ m3 amount to 1% risk rate.

Mesothelioma

Facts

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the mesothelium which is a thin layer covering essential internal organs like the lungs and the heart. In the United States, an average of 2500 people is diagnosed each year with this type of cancer. Below are some surprising facts about mesothelioma.

Fact 1: The main cause of mesothelioma is inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Fact 2: It is estimated that between 1940 and 1978, 11 million people were exposed to asbestos.

Fact 3: Most of the mesothelioma patients don't present any symptoms for 25-50 years after the asbestos exposure.

Fact 4: Nearly 2,000 - 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year.

Fact 5: Men are 4.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Fact 6: The amount of exposure and the length of time are not the only factors affecting the risk of getting an asbestos-related disease.

Fact 7: Mesothelioma frequently occurs in the pleura.

Fact 8: Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on where the cancer is located.

Fact 9: The survival rate for mesothelioma patients is around 30%.

Fact 10: Half of all the mesothelioma patients that are diagnosed with mesothelioma are included in clinical trials.