What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that grows on the mesothelium, the membrane/protective sac that surrounds the various organs of the body. The mesothelium guards the organs by producing a special type of fluid which promotes mobility of the internal organs. Mesothelioma tumor can start on any area of the mesothelium which can be benign or cancerous. Known to be the cause of Mesothelioma is: exposure to asbestos.

What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a heat resistant fibrous mineral used in the industry as the main material in making roofing, gasket compounds, floor tiles and patching compounds. Its versatility makes it a component of various products in the market but it is extremely dangerous once inhaled no matter how small the quantity may be. Inhaled asbestos fiber can pass through the air passages which can then come in contact with the linings of the lungs, potentially injuring the cells and resulting in pleural Mesothelioma. Swallowed asbestos on the other hand can affect the fibers lined up on the abdominal cavity resulting to peritoneal Mesothelioma. There are also evidences that link Mesothelioma with Thorotrast, a component used for X-rays.

What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms and signs of Mesothelioma can be very common, which is why most patients may just take it for granted. The symptoms may happen from two to three months before Mesothelioma is detected. Pleural Mesothelioma is the commonly occurring type which takes part in almost two thirds of the total detected Mesothelioma cases. The linings of the lungs and chest, called pleura, are the affected regions of Pleural Mesothelioma. Common signs are: weight loss, extreme tiredness, difficulty in swallowing, raspy or hoarse voice, constant shortness of breath, cough that have lasted for a long time, pain the chest or back, and extreme sweating and recurring fever. Anyone who encounters these symptoms that have been exposed to asbestos can better consult their doctor for diagnosis to prevent further Mesothelioma complicated problems.

Prevention
Prevention of Mesothelioma can be best done by avoiding contact with asbestos which is proven to be its main causing agent. Asbestos is found almost everywhere, may it be at home, at work or in any public buildings. Workers involved with it must take extra care and precautions to avoid contact through inhalation or swallowing. Low rates of Mesothelioma cases are detected for the past 20 years but nowadays, the number of affected individuals has been growing to a large degree. In United States almost 2,000 new cases are detected each year, with Mesothelioma occuring most with men. Factory workers, miners, railroad laborers, gas mask makers, insulation workers and ship builders are the common asbestos related victims.

Legal Rights
The patients or the individuals affected with Mesothelioma can file lawsuits against asbestos makers, manufacturers or employers. And because they have sworn duty to protect their workers from negative effects of asbestos and other harmful chemicals, infected patients very often win cases exceeding $3million in value. Other rights include seeking temporary Mesothelioma treatments and/or taking part in prototypes. Because there is no universal cure for Mesothelioma, it is the employers' responsibility to protect workers from exposure to harmful asbestos.