Archive for the tag 'death rate'

Study Finds Increased Mesothelioma Death Rates In A Group Of Shipyard Workers

by Sam Gurgis

A recent study conducted on workers in a US Coast Guard shipyard has found a significantly greater mortality rate associated with lung cancer and mesothelioma compared to the general population. The study also found an increased general mortality rate.

The study followed 4702 (4413 men and 289 women) civilian workers who were employed at the shipyard between January 1950 and December 1964. The study then measured the number of deaths and their causes through 31 December 2001.

The study was conducted by S Krstev, P Stewart, J Rusiecki, A Blair and was published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The original study publication is available at http://oem.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/64/10/651.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. The majority of individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos particles at work or home. Family members of workers have also been affected. Renovators of homes containing asbestos cement material are accounting for an increasing number of diagnosed sufferers. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for decades after the exposure to asbestos. Symptoms include abdominal pain and weight loss. Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be difficult due to the fact that the symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases.

Since mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma can be best be prevented by avoiding or limiting exposure to asbestos in homes, public buildings, and at work. Workers that may be at risk include miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, ship builders, contractors and construction workers, particularly those involved with insulation. If there is a possibility of exposure (such as when renovating old buildings) protective equipment should be used and safety procedures should be applied. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. In addition to buildings, asbestos was used in the manufacture of cars and ships and many other products.

About the Author
Sam Gurgis is a scientific writer and the webmaster at mesotheliomawise.org and sam-gurgis.com

Malignant Mesothelioma At a Glance

Malignant mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. It is a rare form of cancer that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum). Malignant mesothelioma is closely linked to exposure to asbestos - a natural fiber that was once used in manufacturing a wide variety of industrial and household products. Workers involved in asbestos mining, milling and manufacturing are at the greatest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Also at high risk are shipyard workers, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos related diseases as well. Cases of malignant mesothelioma have even included people whose only exposure was breathing the air through ventilation systems.

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, malignant mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. Between 1973 and 1984, there has been a threefold increase in the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma in Caucasian males. From 1980 to the late 1990s, the death rate from malignant mesothelioma in the USA increased from 2,000 per year to 3,000, with men four times more likely to acquire it than women. The actual rates may be even higher however, since it is possible that many cases of malignant mesothelioma are misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma of the lung, which is difficult to differentiate from mesothelioma.

The average age of diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is 60. The average survival time varies from 4 to 18 months, and death is usually due to infection or respiratory failure from the progression of the mesothelioma.

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Why do the people in Dallas legal help from asbestos and mesothelioma Attorneys

Dallas people must be well informed about the risks suspends diseases associated with asbestos from Texas is the 5th Place in conjunction with the highest death rate from mesothelioma. But it is also important that the people of Dallas for a legal assistance in the exercise of their rights against the risk from asbestos.

It is also very important that the people of the facts related to asbestos and the nature of the disease, which he leads.

Asbestos diseases are very difficult to diagnose and are several years, even decades, before the presence of asbestos fibers in the body of the victim. According to recent research, about 2600 victims of asbestos exposure and some 1400 to 2300 victims may have mesothelioma. In 2002, there were 259 victims of the deaths from asbestos and 127 were by mesothelioma.

The mesothelioma is a chronic, inflammatory disease. It is not for the treatment and the treatment is not enough to prevent the symptoms of the disease. The people who are not treated, could eventually die in the next few years after the first symptoms.

There was an increase in cases of mesothelioma in recent years and the statistics are light. This is because the period of maturation of the cancer has already reached. It is good that most people who are victims of this disease, have their 50 years. In short, the victims were asbestos began to develop the disease, about 20 - 50 years ago.

It is likely that these victims were exposed over long periods of time, the asbestos. It is also possible that they and their families have over the asbestos fibers inhaled them, and thus the transmission of the disease to other people. Constant exposure almost always leads to disease, so that they can for the level of exposure, as dangerous for the health.

The main reason for Texas has a high mortality rate associated with asbestos is that it is in the pollution caused by asbestos vermiculite, which is also reflected by Dallas.

Because of these cases, the asbestos spread, the need for lawyers of asbestos in Dallas. Many lawyers decide their career in the mesothelioma. From time to time, however, a new start his mark to do, and therefore, the system of refining of the asbestos law, in Dallas, Texas.

There are obviously great resources Dallas asbestos and law firms. As already mentioned, there has been an increase in extreme cases asbestos in this state, and there are many people in the search for a legal advisor.

If you are a lawyer from Dallas asbestos is simple, but requires a lot of time and effort, due to the fact that the suffering of an obstacle for the person to take. The fact is that someone, the victims of asbestos exposure supplemented by the company’s negligence should be fairly compensated, and that is not covered by the law.

We can not afford to lose time to seek, lawyers or law firms that are not experts. If you want to change the people who are really working for you. Your best choice is to ask for help legal basis, a good reputation and a lawyer or law firm. In this way, you will benefit from its resources, and experts.

You have to understand that a lawyer from Dallas Asbestos is never enough, you must make sure that someone who is a big part of his career with a specialization in the cases, mesothelioma and asbestos. In this way, the process almost flawlessly, and you are sure that your applications are in good hands.

Dallas lawyers of asbestos are easy to contact. There are several options to achieve. They glide through their lawyers or their offices, and to check on the employment prospects. You can also surf the Internet, to Dallas Lawyers of asbestos and mesothelioma and legal assistance. You can also see, and if you can make an appointment.

You have your rights, and you should exercise it. If you believe that someone is responsible for your suffering, it is better to see what options for you right into the right positions.

Mesothelioma treatment - surgery

The surgery is a major step in the confirmation, and knowing the type of cancer. It can be used in patients with the combination of radiation and chemotherapy used before and after surgery.

Pleurectomy:
The most common surgery for the treatment of Mesothelioma pleurectomy, in which doctors open the chest of the patient and remove excess liquid or a tumor from the wall of the lung (pleura). Although this method to control the accumulation of fluid and reduces the pain, it’s not a cure. However, if the tumor is in its original form and does not have much further, pleurectomy can increase the survival rate of patients when used with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Moreover, a pleurectomy can in patients less than the approval of the conditions for the health and the death rate is lower than the extrapleuralen lung resection.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP):
Extrapleural lung resection (EPP) is a serious and invasive form of surgery, the patients on Mesothelioma. In this treatment is a part of the lung, pleura (the wall of the lung tissue), pericardium (lining of the heart) and the mid-aperture, so that the tumor cells are removed. He takes the progress of mesothelioma, which the patient to breathe without a problem. It is normally associated with patients who are in the early stages of the disease, and when the tumor in the chest cavity. EPP is recommended for patients with a good heart and lung conditions, so that the severity of post-operative term. Although the operation in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy promising results, there is no guaranteed cure. The studies have shown that patients with therapies extrapleuralen lung resection, and have an average life span of 35 months after surgery, compared to only 9 months pleurectomy. But some doctors question of surgery, to the high risks arising from the internal bleeding, blood clotting, inflammation of the lungs, the accumulation of pus, shortness of breath and even death. So many surgeons recommend that the idea pleurectomy place of the technical complexity of the EPP.

Thoracentèse:
A small surgery is often performed on patients who can not be expanded or EPP pleurectomy, thoracentèse. In thoracentèse, thoracic surgeon inserts a needle into the chest of the patient to remove the excess fluid accumulated in the wall of the lung (pleura). This method is still not the cancer cure, but the symptoms to alleviate painful mesothelioma. In some cases, talc or other officials with a patient in the vaults of the scar in the chest wall and to help them breathe properly, without the tumor to increase to a certain degree.

Paracentèse:
Paracentèse is a similar method, with a needle to the liquid, but the abdominal section of the body. It follows the same procedure for the recovery of the liquid mucosa of the stomach and other organs abdominal muscle training. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma paracentesis are responsible for the surgery.