When it comes to mesothelioma, asbestos is the most commonly associated term. While it’s true that the majority of cases of mesothelioma stem from asbestos inhalation, other factors often go disguise.
In medicine, a risk factor is anything that accelerates the chances of you getting the disease. For example, we say that obesity is the risk factor for a heart attack. However, you may reduce the risk factors, such as stop smoking to prevent cancer, while some you can’t, such as diseases that come with age.
Mesothelioma is similar, and it comes due to several risk factors that contribute to the cause. However, it takes time to develop, and by the time you receive a diagnosis, there is a chance you’ve already sufficiently aged.
With age, it becomes challenging to undergo invasive treatments as recovery is slow and sometimes stagnant. Therefore, you must learn about these risk factors and identify how exposed you are. Here are some risk factors associated with malignant mesothelioma:
Table of Contents
1. Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of minerals that are natural fibers, spread in many parts of the world and extracted from the soil. Industrial and construction companies make use of these fibers in various products. You may have found them in your roofing, tiles, walls, and even cosmetic products. When these microfibers get released into the air, you inhale them.
From there, they make their way into the lungs and the lining of the chest cavity. With time cells get injured due to the presence of fibers, and over time it transforms into mesothelioma. If you cough up these fibers and then swallow them, you risk them entering your abdomen. Unfortunately, cancer steadily develops with prolonged exposure to your abdominal cavity. If you wish to read more about this condition, follow the trail these microfibers take.
2. Zeolites
Zeolites are a very porous mineral similar to asbestos, with many silicon compounds and hydrated aluminum in their composition. When extracting zeolite, your best bet is to work around dormant or active volcanoes.
There are many different types of zeolites you can extract. However, when it comes to discussions on mesothelioma, Erionite seems to stand out. Everyday products such as air purifiers, water purifiers, detergents, and absorbents use it. Hence, you have a high chance of maximum exposure as most of these items make us vulnerable over time.
3. Radiation
Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment. It uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Patients who were undergoing radiation therapy seem to have contracted mesothelioma. There is speculation that due to high exposure to radiation on certain parts of the body, cells begin to develop abnormally.
So, while the treatment may be killing cancer cells, it also allows noncancerous parts to absorb the radiation. If the patient happens to have cancer in the chest or abdominal region, they may develop mesothelioma with time. Cancer patients are primarily at risk of developing mesothelioma while in treatment for another type of cancer.
4. SV40 Virus
SV40 virus is an abbreviation for simian virus 40. It is a DNA virus that can cause tumors in humans. If a person is infected, it is quite possible that the virus alters a cell’s DNA and makes it cancerous. However, this is another rare condition, but awareness is essential. One of the ways of contracting this virus is through the polio vaccine.
5. Age
The risk of mesothelioma increases with age because as you age, your body starts slowing down. It also means your immune system gradually wears down too. If you lived in a house with asbestos over a long period, you must have inhaled microfibers. There comes the point when there are enough microfibers in your system to create substantial damage.
Most mesothelioma patients are older. Hence the chances of recovery or saving them from immediate death is quite slim. With age, it is also possible you contract other problems. You may become susceptible to hypertension, vision problems, and even have trouble with blood sugar. Therefore, the older you get, the more life starts taking a toll on you.
6. Gender
Research indicates that men are five times more likely to get mesothelioma than women. While etiology debates, this can be due to many reasons. The most common factor is men are more exposed to asbestos than women. Comparatively, more men work in construction than women.
Therefore, one gender seems to inhale more asbestos than the other. However, if both genders have nothing to do with working with asbestos and live in a house full of asbestos products, they may contract the disease. So, this risk factor is only applicable if your profession puts you on the front line of asbestos exposure.
7.Hereditary
A gene change called BAP1 is an inherited disorder that can increase the risk of getting cancer. Your body cells begin to divide uncontrollably, giving rise to cancer. The most common location for cancer to spread is in the skin, eyes, and kidneys. If you happen to have this gene mutation, you are susceptible to multiple cancers.
However, this form of mutation is rare, similar to mesothelioma being a rare type of cancer. Despite this gene mutation being uncommon, it remains a risk factor.
Wrap Up
There are numerous risks associated with mesothelioma. While asbestos may be the leading cause of mesothelioma, we can’t rule out other factors. Zeolite is another mineral also seen to cause cancer like asbestos. In some cases, while seeking treatment from cancer through radiation, you may develop mesothelioma. A DNA virus called SV40 is another hard suspect of causing mesothelioma.
Although it is important to note that this is a rare form of cancer, you should actively keep yourself safe. So, using these risk factors, you can make better decisions on how you can save yourself from mesothelioma.
