Asbestos is a silent killer. Tiny airborne microfibers enter the human body through the lungs and collect in the fine membrane that surrounds the lungs. Once the asbestos particles collect in this part of the body they can travel towards the heart. The particles can also collect in the mouth and be ingested in the stomach.
How asbestos kills
Whether the asbestos collects in the lungs, stomach or inner-chest it is capable of turning healthy cells into cancerous tumours. This will affect the ability of the victim to breath, digest or pump blood effectively round the body. If the tumours are advanced they can be fatal. This type of asbestos-related cancer is called a mesothelioma.
Where danger lurks
Most buildings in the western world constructed between the mid-19th century and 2000 contain asbestos somewhere. Even buildings built before this period are likely to contain asbestos if they have been renovated.
Action plan
If you are exposed to asbestos it is natural to be scared. However, if you know you may have breathed in asbestos there are four practical steps you can take for the better:
1.Record your symptoms – you may be affected so much that just getting through the day is a struggle. It may be all too easy to forget exactly what you are suffering day-by-day so make sure you carefully note all the symptoms you are suffering.
There’s nothing worse than not remembering how you’re suffering and running the risk of not explaining what has happened to you fully. Make a note of any questions you would like answered.
2.See a medical professional – once you know what is happening to you, immediately seek medical advice. Make sure you tell the full story and ask practical questions about what the future may hold and what you can do to maximise your chance of survival.
3.Look after your health – of course you should follow the advice given to you by your medical practitioner. But also remember – now more than ever – that your overall health and well-being is of critical important in fighting any risk of cancer. Eat healthily and try to exercise mildly but frequently. Even if you feel tired and sick try to force yourself to achieve a short walk outside.
4.Seek legal advice – don’t suffer in silence. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and your health has suffered as a result, you are going to need all the help you can get. Even if you have not been diagnosed with cancer, if your vital organs have been impaired from asbestos, a mesothelioma lawyer may be able to help you take appropriate legal action against those responsible.
