6 Professionals at a High Risk of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which encases your internal organs. Although rare, it’s a deadly and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. And while available treatments can improve a patient’s life expectancy, there is no cure for the disease yet.

Symptoms associated with mesothelioma may vary depending on the site of cancer. But the disease most commonly manifests as dry cough, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and abdominal or chest ache. Since various other disorders have similar symptoms, cancer gets diagnosed until it’s in its later stages. The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are useful in various applications due to their tensile strength and heat-resistant properties. These characteristics make them a valuable raw material for insulation, flooring, brakes, and construction.

Workers may inhale or swallow fibers that settle in the abdomen or lungs during asbestos usage. Mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 60 years to develop after initial asbestos exposure, but prolonged exposure increases disease risk. Late detection significantly affects prognosis, so high-risk individuals should be tested as soon as they notice anything out of the ordinary.

If you or your loved one belong to any of the following professions at risk of mesothelioma, seek medical assistance right away.

1. Navy yard workers

Navy yard workers are at a higher risk of developing respiratory illnesses like asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. These diseases develop because of exposure to asbestos in large doses when building or repairing ships. Although veterans of all military branches are at risk of mesothelioma navy veterans have the highest possibility of this progressing cancer. Fortunately, affected individuals can apply for a legal claim for compensation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

2. Auto mechanics

Mechanics work on several vehicles like trucks, cars, bikes, and SUVs. Besides repairing the damaged parts, they maintain and inspect automobiles to ensure they’re compliant with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Their job responsibilities are diverse, including engine oil change, air conditioning maintenance, changing belts, and rotating tires. Since asbestos was common for use in high-friction material such as clutches, brakes, and shields, these mechanics frequently contact the hazardous mineral. This exposure is due to the need to remove old and broken components before replacing them with new ones. Therefore, asbestos dust is released and inhaled by the mechanics working on a particular vehicle during this process. Many countries severely monitor asbestos use, but auto mechanics may still get exposed to it when working with older cars or classic models.

3. Firefighters

Firefighters are one of the top professionals at risk of mesothelioma. Before 1980, construction material for houses, residential buildings, and offices relied heavily on asbestos use. When firefighters deal with fires built during that period, they get exposed to asbestos fibers. And because fires cause destruction and property damage, the broken pipes, insulation, tiling, or roofing can all release asbestos in the air that firefighters inhale. Additionally, they deal with several emergencies during their career, so they’re more likely to visit hundreds of such buildings. Mesothelioma studies conducted in the past have shown that firefighters are twice as likely to develop the disease compared to the general public.

4. Mineworkers

Since asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, it first had to be mined before being used. This practice was common in the 20^th century when asbestos mining continued for decades. Miners were exposed to asbestos at extremely high doses on a daily basis, which subjected them to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases in the future. Even family relatives of these workers were exposed when these fibers attached to the workers’ clothes and entered their homes.

Asbestos is also often present in coal mines, and therefore miners and mining communities got exposed to it long ago, perhaps without even realizing it.

5. Painters

Before applying a fresh coat of paint, painters must perform extensive preparation work, including cleaning, sanding, scraping, and priming. These tasks may expose them to asbestos present in various building construction materials. Previously, asbestos was also used as a paint thickener, filler, and fire retardant.

It isn’t just painters who worked with these materials directly that are at risk of mesothelioma. Many old buildings still contain asbestos, and whenever there is a renovation or construction job, workers experience exposure to this mineral.

6. Plumbers

Plumbers or pipefitters design, install, repair, and maintain pipe systems for various substances like steam, water, gas, chemicals, or sewage. They work in a broad range of commercial settings, from factories and businesses to treatment facilities and power plants. While working with pipes, valves, pumps, and gaskets, these plumbers may come in contact with asbestos that industrial workers often utilize for its heat- and corrosion-resistant properties. Widespread use of these materials puts individuals in this profession at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness, including mesothelioma.

Conclusion

Occupational asbestos exposure is the leading cause of developing related diseases like mesothelioma. Working with or around this mineral puts professionals like navy veterans, plumbers, mechanics, and firefighters at a high risk of this severe and aggressive cancer that has no cure. If you or someone you know has worked in any of these professions, it might help keep a close eye on developing symptoms to catch cancer in its early stages and improve prognosis.