Malignant mesothelioma is the name of a rare form of cancer, which is caused specifically by exposure to asbestos. This is a mineral that occurs naturally, which has been used for centuries for fireproofing and insulation. This type of cancer generally affects the protective tissues of human organs, such as pericardium (heart), pleura (lungs) and peritoneum (abdomen), though in some cases it affects the organs as well. Since there is no cure for this disease, prevention is key. People who work in close contact with asbestos fibers should be made aware of the possibility of contacting asbestos cancer.

Asbestos mesothelioma is almost always fatal, not because it is more dangerous than any other forms of cancer, but because it takes some 20-25 years to develop to its full blown condition without any major symptoms. The asbestos cancer is discovered only when it manifests acute symptoms, at which time it is usually too late to do anything other than make the patient comfortable. By this time, the patient is likely to be advancing in age as well; most people diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer are aged 60-70 and their bodies may be worn out in more ways than one.

The sinister thing about malignant mesothelioma is that it is found to attack not only those who are in direct contact with asbestos products, but also those with whom these workers come in close contact with. This is possible because asbestos easily gets into the hair, nails, clothes etc of the workers and therefore carried into the homes to unsuspecting family members. The result is that those who are not in direct contact with asbestos also fall prey to this disease.

As you can see malignant mesothelioma is a dreaded ailment, more for the fact that it remains undetected until it is too late than anything else. It is therefore clear that all those who work in the proximity of asbestos containing products are at high risk to develop asbestos cancer. Periodical check ups for those who work in direct contact with asbestos, as well as their families (and those who come in close contact with such people) is a good way to ensure that tragedy is averted.

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