Some Basic Details of a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Unfortunately, our world  is one in which exist a number of organizations and individuals who may injure a person through misconduct and negligence. Quite often, a mesothelioma lawsuit may seek compensation from more than one defendant. In fact, there have been many notable asbestos cases with 40 or more defendants. Defendants are selected based on past occupational and environmental risks. This is typical in a  mesothelioma lawsuit, because many individuals possess a history with several different manufacturers and employers. These relationships establish the basis of a client's (or plaintiff's) complaint that officially comprises the initiation of a mesothelioma lawsuit.

There are basically two plaintiff types in a mesothelioma lawsuit. These include one type, in which, the actual affected individual(s) begins a mesothelioma lawsuit in an effort to receive damages for their injuries. This type of mesothelioma lawsuit is known as a personal injury lawsuit for living victims of asbestos exposure. The second type involves family, such as a spouse or children, and is most frequently referred to as a wrongful death lawsuit. As the mesothelioma lawsuit progresses, each defending party will respond to the complaint entered in court. These answers are reviewed by the plaintiff and each party enters into a discovery process that may include a number of interrogatories, depositions, record releases and witness testimony; among other items.

The average mesothelioma lawsuit is settled before it goes all the way to trial. However, the progression of each case is an individual process that may continue through jury selection and perhaps, even hours before the actual jury trial is scheduled before a defendant offers a mesothelioma settlement. Often, the dates leading up to a trial are stressful and anxious for all involved parties.

Once a mesothelioma settlement is granted, payment may be provided in varying time frames. This is largely because many companies charged with misconduct are also paying damages to others for similar personal injuries. It is not unheard of, for payouts to occur in time periods spanning from several months to years after the agreed upon mesothelioma settlement. In some lamentable cases, a defendant may file bankruptcy, further prolonging the likelihood of payment delivery. There are also some lawsuits that result in a schedule of multiple payments for damages rendered.

Anyone that knows a mesothelioma victim should spend some time researching the potential for a personal injury or wrongful death case. Although a monetary settlement could never replace a loved one, it sometimes offers comfort to individuals facing this terminal illness, to know that their family will receive restitution that is substantial enough to make a positive impact in their lives. Trust the mesothelioma lawyers at Baron and Budd, P.C. for total guidance through the process of a mesothelioma lawsuit.

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Lung Cancer Expert Speaks Out About Number One Killer

When we consult our doctors about a cut, bruise, or potentially fatal concern, we have the expectation that our doctor will either resolve the problem or provide the necessary information to ease our concerns. Of course, when the news isn't pleasant we can at least be thankful to know the truth. Although some prefer not knowing about bodily issues, perhaps we all can agree that we would all like to know how we can easily prevent lung cancer.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the facts about lung cancer. It isn't just another cancer, it maintains an astonishingly high amount of deaths each year and isn't just a self-inflicted disease. Don't drift off, it's true. It's caused by more than just smoking. Dr. Leach, a leading lung specialist, has fortunately expressed his concerns and advice regarding lung cancer and ways of preventing this deadly disease.

Preliminary Facts

219,000 - People in U.S. diagnosed each year.
160,000 - Lung cancer deaths a year-- more than breast, colon and prostate COMBINED.
85% - Will die within five years of their initial diagnosis. (1/3-1/2 for breast & colon.)
$1,675 - On research per lung cancer death, 4 to 18 times less funding than others.
20,000 - 30,000 - Lung cancer patients who never smoked.

Explanation

These numbers may come as a surprise to most. What's more surprising to you-- the number of deaths each year amongst nonsmokers or the data comparison amongst other cancers?

Research helps. It's clear. The money that goes to researching colon, breast and other cancers has been improving survival rates and bringing hope to the hundreds of thousands suffering from such diseases. Where there's hope for these people, there's little hope for those with lung cancer.

Lung cancer has the worst survival rate at 15% which can be compared to the 77% survival rate for breast cancer and 50% survival rate for colon. These percentages coincide with the amount of money devoted to the respective cancer. There's $18,658 spent per breast cancer death, $13, 666 per prostate cancer death, and $5, 292 per colorectal cancer death. These figures don't even compare to the $1,675 per lung cancer death.

So why the vast difference in research and funding? Well, it's kind of a circular effect. Most people don't want to fund what's considered a self-inflicted disease. Unfortunately those 20-30,000 non-smokers have to suffer alongside the "self-inflicted." In addition, most researchers and doctors prefer to work where there's funding, so the outlook on this cancer needs to change and doctors need to consider how they can help the many battling this disease.

Oh, one more thing. The people in this group of non-smokers that die from this disease actually amount to more than the deaths from leukemia, ovarian cancer, or AIDS.

Radon Exposure is the Link

How are so many people suffering when they haven't even smoked? Something doesn't add up here. Dr. Joseph Leach works at Virginia Piper Cancer Institute as the medical director. He's also a part of the thoracic oncology program at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. As his specialty is lung cancer, he serves as an advisor to the MN Department of Health on radon.

Radon? What does radon have to do with this? Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst nonsmokers. It intoxicates our homes without our knowing. We cannot notice it because it can't be found using any of our senses. Since there isn't much funding or research being done, there aren't any tests such as the mammogram to help in the diagnosis. Most people don't know they have this form of cancer because it doesn't have many noticeable symptoms. Where Dr. Leach lives, in Minneapolis, it's been estimated that one in three homes has high risk levels of indoor radon levels.

Prevention

Although lung cancer is quite ramped and fatal, it is very easily preventable. By simply choosing not to smoke and by reducing your radon exposure you're practically eliminating the causes. This is where lung cancer has a bit of an advantage compared to other cancers. It can be easily prevented. So, in a sense, the other cancers need the research and funding. Lung cancer can be prevented!

Contact Timbercreek Northwest today and schedule radon testing in Idaho or Washington and then radon mitigation in WA or ID. The radon testing will indicate your home's radon levels and the radon mitigation will reduce the levels to a healthy amount. Samantha Walton currently works as a web content writer for home improvement sites. She's a college graduate with a B.A. in communication and a concentration in public relations. She's aspiring to one day further her education with a seminary degree. Her experience ranges from internships in marketing and public relations, content writing for local television broadcasts, to writing and editing newsletters, fliers, and other content for her local church. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Walton

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What Is Lung Cancer Ribbon Or Pearl Ribbon?

A fight against the destructive disease of lung cancer has increased with the gradual increase in the awareness programs. People are increasingly being made aware of the signs, symptoms and the causes of the disease with the major disastrous results. Every individual as per their convenience has raised a voice against the disease in order to eradicate it. The alarming figures of lung show a huge number of people dying due to it. The figures are to be decreased and this is possible only when we all stand together to fight against it. Such raising of your concern and awareness about lung cancer program is done by way of a ribbon. A pearl ribbon is the ribbon form used to raise awareness about lung cancer patients.

The pearl lung ribbon in a way shows support and empathy towards the cancer patients. The plain pearl color lung ribbon often motivates and increases the courage and patience of the patients to get rid of the cancer cells and to fight against it through their strong will power. The pearl ribbon not only makes people aware of the disease but also lets them realize that any other person can be affected by it including you and hence, you should support for the noble cause of fighting against it.

The cancer ribbon first of all serves the purpose of motivation and support amongst all. It evolves a feeling of unity among all the citizens in order to fight against the disease and lets the awareness program to be a successful one. It raises a ray of hope amongst all to dream of a better future by complete eradication of the disease.

Secondly the cancer ribbon helps in donating to the patients for their treatment as well. The buying of the ribbon helps in increasing the donation amount to the lung cancer patients. The minor amount of the ribbon contributes a lot to the treatment of an individual suffering from the disease and even offers mental support.

A cancer ribbon is worn on the left hand side of the arm slightly above the heart. This is believed to be the best part of the body for displaying the support for the cause. The ribbon wearers often are not aware of the people suffering from the disease but still in a way feel closer and offer support to the people going through the severe pain.

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Treatment Options And Prognosis Of Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered incurable. By the time the disease has reached this stage, it has spread beyond its original site into other areas of the body. While it can be treated, those who are diagnosed with it can hope only that the tumor goes into remission.

Lung cancer spreads when diseased cells detach themselves from a tumor, and migrate via the bloodstream. The most common sites of metastasis are the liver, brain, lymph nodes, and bones. Once NSCLC has spread beyond the lung, traditional procedures, such as wedge resections, lobectomies, and pneumonectomies, will not, by themselves, cure the disease. Other forms of treatment are required.

Below, we'll describe the symptoms that display with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. We'll also take a look at available treatment options, and the expected survival rate for those who are diagnosed with it.

Common Symptoms Of Metastatic NSCLC

Signs of metastasis differ from symptoms that present when a tumor is located in one or both lungs. With localized lung cancer, a persistent cough accompanied by bloody sputum is common. Difficulty taking deep breaths, hoarseness, and recurring bouts of infections, such as pneumonia, are also common. Depending on the tumor's location within the affected lung, it may exert pressure on the nerves, causing pain in the chest and arms.

Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer vary based on which part of the body has been exposed to the diseased cells. If the brain is affected, you may experience intense headaches, problems with your vision, and a loss of balance and coordination. These and other signs are similar to those that present in cases of stroke.

If the disease spreads to the bones, it can cause pain in the hips as well as throughout the back. It may feel similar to pulling a muscle in the beginning, but will worsen. If the tumor reaches the spine, you may have difficulty walking.

When NSCLC spreads to the lymph nodes, the nodes will usually swell. This, by itself, does not present any serious problems, but can cause hoarseness and noticeable swelling in the neck.

How Stage 4 NSCLC Is Treated

As mentioned earlier, stage 4 lung cancer cannot be resolved by surgery alone. Even if a surgeon is able to remove diseased tissue by performing a lobectomy, the tumor will have already spread elsewhere in the body. This means the disease can continue to metastasize. For this reason, chemotherapy is often used as a systemic approach to eliminating cancer cells.

The drawback of chemotherapy is that the chemicals do not discriminate between good and bad cells; they merely target those that divide more quickly than others. While this is an effective method for targeting cancer cells, therapy also damages good cells. This is the reason many patients experience side effects, such as hair loss and nausea.

Radiation therapy can also prove useful in treating stage 4 lung cancer. It is administered to help manage symptoms, as opposed to completely ridding the body of cancer cells. Rather than chemicals, this form of treatment directs radiation at targeted areas of the body.

Expected Survival Rate For Stage 4 Lung Cancer

By the time non-small cell lung cancer has reached stage 4, the patient has a 10 percent chance of survival after five years. There are, however, many factors that influence a person's life expectancy. For example, younger patients have a better chance of survival than older patients; your body's tolerance of chemotherapy and radiation therapy also play a role; and unrelated medical conditions, such as an arrhythmia, can lower your chances of survival.

There are clinical trials that may yield new treatments that extend the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC. Your doctor can discuss these developmental treatment strategies with you to determine if you are a suitable candidate.

Because stage 4 lung cancer is incurable, early diagnosis is critical. If you suspect you may have the disease, consult your physician immediately.

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Friable Asbestos: The Real Culprit Behind Your Symptoms

What is friable asbestos?
In any discussion concerning asbestos and the physical symptoms that can be developed from it we need to understand what is mean't by the term friable. Asbestos is said to be "friable" when it is dry it can be crushed or pulverized thus reducing the mineral into a powderized state. The real danger that occurs when asbestos is crushed is that it can easily become air born. Once the tiny fibers of asbestos are air born they can be inhaled into the lungs and once in the lungs the whole chain of events begins to unfold which can lead to scarring, asbestosis and even mesothelioma.

What are some examples of friable asbestos?
Some common examples of friable asbestos products would be acoustic ceiling tiles, many types of plaster and wall board, sprayed on insulation on boilder pipes, insulation inside of boilers, insulation inside of hotwater heaters and many more. These items can all be pulverized and reduced to a powder that can easily become air born. A good example of non-friable asbestos would be vinyl floor tiles and asbestos siding and some shingles. Floor tiling is a product that often contains asbestos but as long as it is not sawn, ground or sanded it remains incapsulated and consequently remains non-friable.

What should I do if I encounter a material that I suspect may contain friable asbestos?
The first thing that you should do if you suspect the presence of asbestos is to have a sample of the product tested at an EPA approved asbestos lab. An excellent resource for just such an endeavor can be found at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html. This information rich site gives all the latest regulations concerning asbestos that have been approved by the EPA. Once you find this site you will see a link that will help you find an approved lab near your home or business. Once you have sent in your sample and it has been found to contain asbestos you should then use this same site to locate a professional asbestos abatement company. This is no job for the unlearned or naive. Once a material is determined to be friable it is labeled as regulated asbestos containing material (RACM). The safest way to deal with it is to let the professionals handle the removal. The cost of inhaling friable asbestos fibers is too high to take chances with your health. It is worth a little extra money to avoid serious asbestos symptoms.

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What Are Most Common Lung Cancer Causes?

All those reasons which are known as the causes of lung cancer. There are a lot of lung cancer's causes in number, but it is very tough to narrate them in shorter time with heavy detail. Here in the coming topics some very important, common and major causes of cancer are explained in a handsome detail, which guide us very nicely and properly in our health matter.

Details about Causes of Lung Cancer are as under;

Environment and its Smoke

The most major problem and cause of cancer exists in the human's body, is due to the polluted environment in which we are surrounded very badly. In our surrounding polluted environment a number of polluted and health effective things exist, which support the cancer in spreading and developing rapidly. The smoke in the environment is produced due to the transport, emitted from the factories, chemical burning and garbage burning, mix up with fresh and healthy oxygen, after that the air in which we breath is mostly become polluted. When we use this polluted and unpleasant mixture of air through our mouth and lymph system, then it affects our lungs directly with a great harm. It affects the lungs continuously and with the passage of time our lungs are caught with cancer. So in this way cancer in our lungs begins to spread and develop, which is predicted latter in our body by our Blood Testing Reports, X-ray and CT scan.

Cigarette's Smoke

Lung cancer causes

As it is quite clear that, smoke is the major cause of cancer, so the smoke which is created during the process of smoking causes the failure and break down of the lung's working and efficiency. It is observed after a series of cancer's survey that, about 70% cancer in the people causes due to the cigarettes, which is rapidly increasing day by day. As much the cigarettes will be smoked, so much the possibility of lung cancer increases in the human's body. Hence it is not bad to say that, cancer depends upon the smoking directly.

Lung Diseases and Cancer Transformation

A number of people are suffered from so many diseases, which may convert latter into the lung cancer symptoms. It is happened due to the regular dosing and high quality of treatment, after which the lung's diseases become much serious and adopt the disease lung cancer. Sometimes the cancer is transferred from parents to the kids, as by nursing the little babies and blood transformation.

Asbestos (Minerals Decomposition)

The animals, trees and other living things, buried thousand of years ago, when are decomposed naturally, an irritate smell and a lot of dangerous particles fly and mix in the air, from where these enter in our body through breathing. These poisoned particles attack our lungs directly and cause cancer.

Radon and Poisoned Gasses

A number of poisoned gasses are emitted from the air conditioners and some other sources, which are mostly order less, tasteless and also invisible. These poisoned gasses invade the human's body through breathing in the lungs and affect the lungs seriously. These poisoned gasses cause cancer very soon by damaging the healthy cells and tissues. A similar gas, named as Radon affects the human's body in very short time and 80% causes lung cancer in human. In this way cancer develops and spreads quite sharply in the body.

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Asbestos Symptoms - The Rich And Famous Are No Exception!

Asbestos symptoms became very apparent in the life of Steve McQueen who 25 years ago found it impossible to run 15 yards on a movie set without the benefit of an oxygen mask. McQueen was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and died a year later. In fact, most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma die within two years of that diagnosis!

McQueen had been exposed to asbestos in at least three different ways.

McQueen's first exposure to the deadly substance occurred in his younger years in the construction trades. In those days the cheap and abundant mineral was used in all kinds of plasters, sheetrock and adhesives just to name a few. His second exposure happened in the Marines where he was assigned the task of taking asbestos insulation off of steam pipes in large ships. This activity no doubt exposed him to copious amounts of friable asbestos. Finally, Steve McQueen had a lifelong love for auto racing. The helmets and suits for drivers was loaded with asbestos. McQueen surrendered to this deadly disease at age 50 after trying numerous therapies.

Rock stars, athletes and politicians have been victims of asbestos related illness.

A number of athletes have died from mesothelioma. Terry McCann was an Olympic champion wrestler who contracted asbestos over exposure while working in an oil refinery. Merlin Olsen was an all pro football player and famed sportscaster who contracted the illness after years of working with sheet rock in construction work. Congress Bruce Vento and Jimmy Carter Chief of Staff, Hamilton Jordan, both died of malignant mesothelioma. Bishop Ian Cundy and rock star Warren Zevon were victims too. Zevon could never directly identify his exposure point but this just shows how prevalent asbestos is in our environment.

There have been a few victims who beat the odds.

While it is true that most folks die within two years of diagnosis it is also true that there are exceptions. Stehen Gould, politician, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma and lived 20 years. He died of an unrelated illness. It just goes to show you that one should never abandon hope.

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All About Mesothelioma Risk

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is considered to be very rare. This type of cancer occurs in protective lining, which is responsible for covering internal organs of the body called Mesothelioma. There are basically 3 types of Mesothelioma:

• Pleural Mesothelioma
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma
• Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma

Among all different types of Mesothelioma, pleural Mesothelioma is the most common one. More than 70% people are suffering from this type. Pleural Mesothelioma attacks on the lungs.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This type of Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the peritoneum. It attacks towards the abdominal cavity. However, it is less common as compared to the pleural Mesothelioma.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

This type of Mesothelioma cancer occurs in pericardium and attacks at the heart. However, this type is least common.

The main recognized cause of this disease is Asbestos. It works in such a way so that the people who are exposing to the asbestos will develop the symptoms of Mesothelioma in upcoming future and not immediately. Many experts often suggest that the smokers are more vulnerable to Mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma:

Most of the patients of Mesothelioma do not notice any kind of symptoms in the earliest stages/months. Mesothelioma can only be detected by the regular medical checkups. Also many people confuse with the symptoms of Mesothelioma with the regular and common ailments. The symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma are:

• Fever
• Back pain
• Chest pain
• Muscle weakness
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Breath shortness
• Decrement in sensory capabilities
• Swallowing trouble in arm and face
• Hoarseness
• Coughing up blood
• Continuous cough

The main symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are:

• Creation of fluid in abdominal cavity
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Weight loss

The main symptoms of pericardial Mesothelioma are:

• Night sweats
• Fever
• Trouble in breathing
• Chest pain
• Irregularities heartbeats
• Heart palpitations

Mesothelioma risk factors:

One of the most common risk factor of Mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who work in the place surrounding asbestos are more vulnerable towards Mesothelioma. Also the people who are exposed to the thorium dioxide are also vulnerable. Some experts also suggest that x-ray substances or also responsible for peritoneal andpleural Mesothelioma. People who are constantly in touch with Zeolite are also at a great risk. Zeolite is a mineral which is mostly found in Turkey's Anatoli region. Some medical experts also believe that there is a connection between the simian virus 40 and Mesothelioma. However, cases are still debatable. Tobacco, which is said not to be a direct responsible for this disease but the combination of the people who consume it and people who works in surrounding of asbestos are 50% more vulnerable to Mesothelioma.

Though Mesothelioma cancer is a rare type of cancer, but it doesn't mean that it is any less dangerous. As of now there is no proper cure for Mesothelioma and the problem with this disease is people are not able to find it in the early stages. This disease mostly takes the life of the people in just 2 years. The only key by which you can fight with this type of disease is to regularly go for doctors for diagnosis.

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Why You Want A Pitbull For An Attorney Instead Of A Poodle

Mesothelioma may be a form of cancer, but that doesn't mean there aren't legal issues involved. Mesothelioma lawyers specialize in making the connection to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma may be a very rare form of cancer, but that doesn't mean it isn't associated with an exposure to a certain substance. By now, you know what that substance is - asbestos. You might be surprised to learn that the correlation between exposure to the substance and the occurrence of the cancer is not absolute. That being said, it is sufficient that courts have unilaterally found manufacturers of asbestos liable for subsequent cancer results.

The issue in Mesothelioma lawsuits usually boils down to two issues. The first is identifying when exposure took place. If you can't prove exposure, you surely can't prove any defendant in particular should be at fault. The second factor is causation. Exposure isn't enough. You must also show that the exposure resulted in the eventual Mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma lawyers are old hands at these issues. The same defenses come up in every case, so they develop strategies for dealing with those defenses. Mesothelioma lawyers have private investigators and staff that will back track through time to find out where and when exposure occurred. It might have been while working in a shipyard or perhaps laying water pipes for a city. Yes, water pipes were actually lined with asbestos for years. Perhaps the exposure occurred when you or your loved one was working on building a school that incorporated asbestos products such as popcorn ceiling, siding, roof shingles or tile.

Once the exposure has been nailed down, Mesothelioma lawyers have the medical experts that are critical to building the causation side of the case. The issues become very technical, but the basic idea is you must show that exposure resulted in some harm. In this case, that is obviously Mesothelioma. Ah, but is one day of exposure enough to trigger it? How about 5? How about 25? Only a crafty lawyer can make the complex medical issues clear to a jury or judge.

Mesothelioma lawyers are experts in their field. They usually offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. If you believe asbestos exposure has occurred, contact one of these Mesothelioma lawyers today.

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Lung Cancer Symptoms - Early Warning Signs and Symptoms

Lung cancer is a form of disease wherein the cell tissues of the lungs of the body start growing invariably and continuously. Mostly, the growth of cell tissues is uncontrollable. This cancer is one of the most commonly found types of cancer often resulting into death. One of the major causes of lung stated is smoking. Smoking results in 87% of chances of cancer. Early detection of cancer leaves us with some hope of positive treatment. In order to detect lung cancer at the earliest possible stage, a person should be well aware of the lung cancer symptoms.

The most common cancer symptoms are as follows:

Dyspnea refers to problems related to inhalation of breath. Shortness of breath is the earliest stage cancer symptoms. Dyspnea is when the cancer patient feels problem during the inhalation and exhalation of breath. The patient feels choked and is unable to breathe properly for a short period of time.

Hemoptysis is when the patient ends up coughing blood. Along with frequent coughs, the patient outbursts blood while coughing. This is the most common cancer symptoms and is an alert alarm as well for the patient to realize that the conditions are getting worse.

Continuous coughing problems over a long period of time which shows no proper results even after proper medication can be other cancer symptoms. Coughing problems in a cancer patient though are regular but it follows no regular patterns. It can increase and decrease as per on its own.

Chest pain is one of the major forms of cancer symptoms noticed. Every lung cancer patient complaints of continuous chest pain or pain in the lower part of the abdomen. Severe or unbearable pain is an indicator of worse scenario of lung cancer effects.

Cachexia or loss of weight is a serious indicator of cancer. Fatigue or feeling of nausea generally gives an indication of severe cancer cases. Rigorous loss of appetite on it even worsens the scenario. It is amongst the most alarming cancer symptoms in a patient.

Dysphagia refers to the state where the patients feel difficulty in swallowing. Pain while swallowing food and even swallowing the saliva down becomes difficult for the patients. Dysphagia though can be treated by medicines but does not affect the cancer treatment positively.

So, next time you notice a patient with similar symptoms, make sure you get him checked by the doctor as soon as possible.

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Asbestos: What Is It and How It Can Harm You

Asbestos comes from a Greek word that means inextinguishable or unquenchable. Six of the earth's naturally occurring silicate minerals combine to form asbestos. The properties that these six silicate minerals share include their asbestiform shape and their crystals which are long, slender and fibrous. Because of its excellent absorptive quality, good enough tensile strength and good resistance to damages from electrical, heat and chemical assaults, asbestos was a very famous and sought after component of manufacturers and builders alike during the 19th century. These properties are still very much valued by manufacturers of today. As of 2006, Russia has emerged as the biggest producer of asbestos, coming up with 40.2% of the entire output of the world. China came in 2nd with 19.9% of the world's share, Kazakhstan 3rd with 13.0%, followed by Canada and Brazil with 10.3% and 9.9% respectively of the world's share. A staggering estimate of about 2.3 million tons of asbestos is being mined in the world as of the present.

Asbestos is composed of six different types of minerals. These minerals are classified under one of two classes, namely chrysotile and amphibole asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is derived from serpentinite rocks. These are the most commonly used asbestos fibers in the world. These fibers are valued for their curly fibers that allow it to be more flexible than its amphibole counterpart. Chrysotile asbestos is popularly being used for joint compound, as a component of cement for corrugated roof sheets of buildings, as part of pipe linings, as sealants for ropes in boilers, for insulation, and brake linings as well. Due to its flexible nature, it is also commonly spun and woven into fabric. Its myriad of uses however has been severely limited in several countries including the USA and a lot of European nations since the discovery of its potency as a health hazard.

Amphibole asbestos on the other hand has fibers that are straight and needle-like. These are mostly found in the south of Africa. Some of the natural sources of amphibole asbestos can also be found in Australia. Amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite are the five types of asbestos that fall under the amphibole class. These are usually used as a component of ceiling tiles and in the production of insulation boards that are of low density. Amphibole asbestos also serves as an important ingredient in fire retardants in commercially produced thermal insulation products. Examples of these thermal insulation products include gaskets, laggings, limpet sprays and fire-rated doors.

Aside from their differences in fiber configuration, these two classes of asbestos also vary in the degree of potency for a health hazard that they pose. Studies have shown that the amphibole class of asbestos has a higher degree of potential for causing malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease as compared to its chrysotile counterpart. Specifically the amosite and crocidolite variants have been touted as the most hazardous to humans due to their ability to persist for longer periods of time in the lungs. All the types of asbestos have also been found to cause the development of tumors in humans and animals alike. Malignant mesothelioma is the most commonly caused tumor.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is valued for its flexibility and potential for a myriad of uses. However, due to its high degree of potency as a health hazard, its uses have been severely limited. Its use has even been banned entirely in a number of countries.

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Asbestos: History of Health Concerns

The human race's use of asbestos has been riddled with controversies, much of which can be attributed to the numerous accounts of its high degree of potency as a health hazard.

Long before the start of the 20th century had even dawned, countless stories coming out of Greece and Rome have chronicled the mysterious "breathing" illness that had afflicted slaves who were assigned the task of weaving asbestos cloth. In the late 1890s, the suspicious death of around 50 asbestos workers in France prompted what would be known as the first ever study that delved into the possible health risk of asbestos. The result of the study however showed that the workers died from a generalized pneumoconiosis known as chalicosis. The fact that these workers were heavily exposed to a combination of asbestos and cotton dust could not be denied however.

In the first decade of the 1900s, the stories about the health risks of asbestos were anecdotal at best. At this time, asbestos was already considered as a dust hazard. But the gravity of the seriousness of it being a health hazard has not been recognized yet by the industrial sector. The 1920s saw the first wave of recognition about the health hazards of continued asbestos use. A British pathologist by the name of Dr. Cooke reported several cases of chronic bronchitis and fibrosis that he found in post-mortem examinations of lungs of asbestos workers. He gave this disease the name, asbestosis.

Dr. Cooke's findings were then followed by a large nationwide investigation into the health of some 360 of Britain's industrious asbestos textile workers. It was revealed that about a fourth of these workers suffered from pulmonary fibrosis. The results of this investigation resulted in the improvement of regulations regarding the manufacture of asbestos containing products as well as resulted in the implementation of hygiene standards in the factories, and the institution of requisite medical exams in the workplace. The asbestos industry also came to be included into the British Worker's Compensation Act. This unprecedented nationwide investigation came to be known as the Merewether report.

In the USA, the use of asbestos has also been very much marred with much controversies involving hundreds of millions of dollars exchanged between companies and workers. In the early 1930s, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company revealed that about 29% of the workers at Johns-Manville plant were suffering from asbestosis. The lawsuits that followed were settled out of court. A few years later, a group of asbestos companies agreed to sponsor research studies that will look into the hazardous effects of asbestos exposure to human health. These same companies however insisted that they have complete control over the disclosure of the results of the study.

It wasn't until the 1980s that modern regulation regarding the use of asbestos saw the light of day. An Asbestos Ban and Phase out Rule was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1989. Two years later however this ruling was overturned in the case of Corrosion Proof Fittings vs. the EPA. To this day, trace amounts of asbestos can still be legally found in a number of products in the market. The EPA has put out a concentration limit of 7M fibers/L of drinking water for fibers with lengths of >=5 um. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a lower and more stringent limit at 100,000 fibers /m3 of workplace effective for 8 hour shifts within a 40 hour/week schedule. Other countries such as New Zealand and Australia followed suit issuing bans on the importation of asbestos in 1984 and 1991 respectively.

Controversy will forever surround the use of asbestos. It is up to individual countries to make sure that effective regulatory laws are in place to help keep in check the extent of its use and to ensure the safety of workers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seomul_Evans

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Lung Cancer Awareness in the Month of November

Making people aware of the disastrous results of lung cancer is very essential. The gradually increasing figure of the disease is presenting an alarming situation which can later turn out to be a major problem. Though, various treatments are offered by the doctors for the patients suffering from it, prevention is any day better than cure. One of the major prevention techniques can be taken by us. Its awareness program are always helpful in letting people know the causes, signs and symptoms behind the disease. It even helps to fight against it.

The month of November is celebrated as the lung cancer awareness month. During this month people are made aware on how to fight back against the disease and the major reasons behind. Smoking is considered to be the major cause for the disease. 50% of people suffering from cancer are believed to be chain smokers whereas 10% to 15% are believed to be non- smokers. The chance of cancer is 1:13 men and for the women the ratio is of 1:16. Making people aware of the disease is to be done on a large scale.

The symptoms for the diseases are chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing of blood, weight loss, hoarse voice, and difficulty in swallowing or gulping food. These are the major symptoms which when seen should be immediately referred by the doctors. People must be aware of the symptoms. The earlier the symptoms are detected, the chances of survival increase the more.

These awareness program includes the stages involved during the disease. It has four major forms of stages. Each stage has its own criticality and the treatment method varies in every stage. The final stage is the most crucial and is termed as a hopeless stage. The chances of treating the patient are the least during this stage.

The treatment measures offered in the lung cancer awareness cell include the surgery and the diagnosis part. These awareness program offers a varied form of information on all the factors of the disease. Surgery and Diagnosis are the most used forms of treatment measures. Apart from this, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy are also used in some critical cases.

Lung cancer awareness cell or program measures have always helped an individual in understanding the major concepts related to the disease and have helped eradicating the disease in various forms. Every year the month of November experiences such a facet of people ready to fight against lung cancer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_J_Anderson

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