Protecting Yourself Against Mesothelioma
What to do if you have been exposed to asbestos
Exposure to asbestos is the only cause of mesothelioma, but that does not mean that everyone who is exposed to asbestos will get the disease. In fact, mesothelioma is relatively rare. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year—even though almost everyone has been exposed to at least a low level of asbestos at some time.
Because it is such a devastating and fatal condition, it is only natural to ask about actions or treatments for warding off mesothelioma and other health problems that can be caused by asbestos exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide the following advice for people concerned about asbestos exposure.
Talk to your doctor
Although the disease cannot be prevented, the best hope for treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis. Asbestos-related disease takes 10, 20, or more years after exposure to produce signs or symptoms. By then, the disease has usually progressed too far to be treated effectively. It is particularly important to check with a doctor if you have any of these symptoms identified by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute:
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Only a doctor can tell if you have any of these health problems are due to asbestos exposure. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in pulmonary medicine, occupational medicine, or environmental medicine who frequently treats diseases caused by asbestos. A doctor familiar with the progression of asbestos-related diseases can advise on best practices for warding off mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis complications that may arise if you do develop one of these conditions.
Avoid smoking
If you are a smoker, quit smoking. Although smoking has not been shown to increase the risk of developing mesothelioma, smoking combined with asbestos exposure greatly increases the risk of getting lung cancer and other problems adversely affecting the lungs.
Get regular influenza and pneumonia shots
Regular inoculations help reduce the chance of lung infections. Lung infections do not cause mesothelioma, but when your lungs are weakened, the disease progresses faster and is harder to treat.