Mesothelioma is
the medical name for cancer of the lung and is usually caused by
exposure to asbestos. Symptoms may not appear for up to 50 years or so
after exposure to asbestos, and people who haven’t had any contact with
asbestos for many years, are now showing signs of having this deadly
disease. The symptoms are usually shortness of breath, coughing, and
chest pains and feeling very tired.
Why should I be scared of it?
As a
small child, I used to live near a factory which used asbestos to make
fire-proof products and other insulating materials for the building
industry. I believe that asbestos was also used in the manufacture of
brake linings. I can remember seeing the asbestos dust that spewed out
of the factory covering the surrounding area (including part of our
school playground) with this deadly snow-like powder. Of course, as we
were just kids at that time, we had absolutely no idea just how deadly
this dust was. We even played in it completely unaware of its dangers.
The Horror Came Later.
It wasn’t
until years later after the factory had been closed down, that we began
to see the full horrors of this white snow looking powder, we had
played with as children. By this time I was much older, and the dangers
of asbestos had been given massive coverage by the media, so I was now
aware of what could happen to myself and hundreds of other people who
lived in the same area as this factory in years to come.
TV Documentary.
This
factory received national television coverage, and on one program they
interviewed families who had suffered due to the problem of asbestos. I
was shocked to see that I knew some of the people who had lost family
members due to developing mesothelioma, in fact, I actually went to
school with some of the people who took part in the program. The program
showed old photographs of the area around the factory (including my old
school) covered in powder, and it really did look like it had been
snowing. When you see all of this on television it really does make you
just a little bit worried, especially when you have been in contact with
asbestos-like I have.
Treatments.
If
mesothelioma is diagnosed early enough, a cure is possible with a
combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. However, in the
case of a more advanced illness a cure is not possible, but with the
right treatments the illness can be slowed down dramatically and
medication can be used to ease any pain.
X-Rays.
As a
precaution I did have x-rays a few years ago just to put my mind at
rest, and thankfully they were all clear. The doctor recommended that I
should have x-rays on a very regular basis just to be on the safe side.
So, at the moment everything is ok, but I will always be just a little
bit worried of what might happen in the future.
