While it’s well-established that the deadly form of cancer known as mesothelioma is caused solely by exposure to asbestos, thousands of people throughout the U.S. mainland and Hawaii continue to die from the disease every year.
About 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are registered each year in the United States. In Hawaii, there are approximately 38 asbestos-related deaths a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Mesothelioma was discovered in the late nineteenth century and gradually came to be associated with exposure to asbestos. The mineral has been used throughout history, but as the Industrial Revolution took hold, more and more uses were found.
We can help.
Asbestos is found naturally in the environment and has been used for over 100 years in many different industrial applications. Asbestos has been used for fire-proofing roof shingles, ships, buildings and clothing, as well as for insulating furnaces, pipes, boilers, and other materials.
When asbestos is disturbed, microscopic fibers fly into the air and can get trapped in lung tissue.
What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
According to the Mayo Clinic, mesothelioma is “a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium).” It is aggressive and deadly, and although it can be treated, there is no known cure.
There may be several signs or symptoms of mesothelioma, depending on where it occurs.
The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- painful coughing
- shortness of breath
- lumps under the skin on the chest
- unexplained weight loss
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen; symptoms can include:
- pain or swelling in the abdomen
- nausea
- unexplained weight loss
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the heart; symptoms include:
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis affects the tissue surrounding the testicles; symptoms may include:
- swelling or a mass on a testicle
Like other cancers, diagnosing mesothelioma early improves chances of an increased life span. Also, because the symptoms of mesothelioma can be applied to other diseases, the Mayo Clinic recommends seeing your doctor to make sure of the root cause.
What Are the Risk Factors for Mesothelioma?
Although asbestos has been mined and used extensively in commercial applications since the 1800s, its particularly widespread use during World War II caused a “marked increase in the age-standardized mesothelioma incidence and mortality rates,” the study found.
Despite government regulation of asbestos beginning in the 1970s, mesothelioma is not going away. Some reasons for its continued presence are:
- The long latency period between exposure and diagnosis
- Continued exposure asbestos
- Asbestos already “in place” from past use
How Is Mesothelioma Treated?
As a cancer, mesothelioma may be dealt with in the usual ways: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. It is an extremely aggressive cancer, so a combination of therapy may be needed.
How We Help Victims of Asbestos Exposure in Hawaii
Seek justice with the help of our experienced Hawaii asbestos attorneys. Our mesothelioma law firm has represented Hawaii residents like you affected by asbestos exposure for over 40 years, aggressively fighting the corporate giants responsible for their dangerous products. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos or suffered from a disease caused by asbestos, like mesothelioma, we can help.
