Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the linings of the body’s organs; primarily the lungs, but it is also known to attack the lining of the stomach, heart or even testicles. In many, if not most cases, the condition is related to exposure to asbestos.
Every year more than 2,500 people are diagnosed with the condition, most between the ages of 60 – 80, and are predominantly men. In a lot of cases this is due to the type of industries they were involved in during their working lives.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The most common symptoms of lung-based Mesothelioma are shared with other lung conditions, and in most cases they don’t appear until many years, even decades, after the asbestos exposure took place. Common symptoms include chest pain, a shortness of breath, a persistent cough, fatigue and even a loss of appetite.
When Mesothelioma strikes the lining of the stomach, the symptoms may include pain or swelling, sickness and / or diarrhoea, constipation and a loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.
All of these symptoms can be associated with other more or less dangerous conditions and so if you suffer from any of these, it is worth discussing them with your doctor.
What causes Mesothelioma?
In almost all cases Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. The tiny fibres can become stuck in the lining of the lungs and remain there for years, even decades before the damage is noticed. While asbestos has been banned as a building material for nearly 20 years, the risks can still be prevalent in buildings built before this time particularly if the asbestos fibres are broken up or removed without suitable safety procedures and equipment.
What if you have developed Mesothelioma?
If you have any concerns about your health the first person to speak to is your doctor; they can perform tests to discover what might be causing the symptoms. If it turns out that you have developed Mesothelioma, or any other lung-related condition, and it can be proved that it was due to your employment, you might be able to make a claim for compensation. Employers have a duty of care to provide safe working conditions for all of their employees, and protection against the dangers of asbestos is paramount. Contact one of our highly experienced solicitors today to find out if we can help you get the pay out you deserve.