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What Is Mesothelioma?
In short, this is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane that actually covers most of the organs in our body. The surface lining has different names as it covers different organs. It is called the peritoneum in the abdomen and the pleura in the chest. The two main types of mesothelioma are in the chest and the abdomen.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include shortness of breath and heavy chest pain. You may also see weight loss, a persistent cough and ongoing fatigue. It is usually caused or linked to asbestos exposure. Sadly, it is very difficult to cure this type of cancer, and most people diagnosed just rely on treatments to prolong life and ease the symptoms and pain.
Asbestos
Asbestos exposure is mainly found in those that work or have 
previously worked in construction. Asbestos is made of microscopic fibres that are potentially very dangerous. It was widely used in construction for many years, but it, for obvious reasons, no longer used. Therefore cases of exposure date back to 1999 when it was banned. However, materials that contain asbestos are still present in many old buildings, which is a worry in itself.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis will include a Xray of the chest or abdomen, a CT scan, fluid drainage and a thoracoscopy or laparoscopy. These tests will be able to determine how far the mesothelioma has spread.
Claiming Compensation
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma due to being exposed to asbestos while at work, you can proceed to claim compensation. To do this, you will need to partner with a law firm that specialises in handling Mesothelioma Cases in the US, or wherever it is you are located, and winning compensation for their clients. There are over 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year, and about 90% of those cases are related to exposure to asbestos through work. Asbestos can leave its mark on your body, even many years after you have been exposed. It is therefore known as a signature disease. Asbestos manufacturers failed to warn workers of the dangers of these materials, and you may, therefore, be a victim and have a strong case to present. It is essential to hire a specialist legal professional to represent you as they will have many years experience and sound knowledge in making claims. Mesothelioma can also affect wives and children of construction workers if they have washed work clothes or been exposed to home renovations where these materials have been used. For this reason, relatives of workers diagnosed with the disease can also make a claim.
Treatment
The treatment you take for this kind of cancer will depend on how far spread the disease is and also will be based on how your health is currently. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed in advance stages making it more difficult to treat. Chemotherapy is often the treatment of choice as it can help shrink the cancer. Radiotherapy is also used to try and kill the bad cells and slow the spread of the disease. If it is caught early, it may be possible to have surgery to try and remove the tumour, although so far this has not been seen to be very effective. Clinicians may also drain fluid from your chest to help ease your breathing.
Staff Writer; Joseph Harris
