Mesothelioma is a form of cancer; it happens in the mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of most of our internal body organs. They form a lining referred to as the ‘Mesothelium’ which gives the disease its name. Mesothelioma most often occurs in the tissues covering the lungs.

The most common cause of Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Around 80% of people diagnosed with the disease report having been in contact with asbestos at some point in their life, often before the material was banned for safety reasons. The greater the exposure, the greater risk but some patients say they have no history of heavy exposure and may simply be unlucky.

Used widely as in insulating material from the 40’s to the 90’s, asbestos is a fireproof material which featured heavily in the construction industry. People most at risk are those who worked directly or were exposed to the material during this time but the threat is still present.

It is not until up to 50 years after exposure that symptoms start to develop and this is often too late for many. Given the timescale of contamination doctors expect the cases to increase until around 2020 when they should start to see a fall.

Mesothelioma does not have many early warning signs so if you experience respiratory issues, weight loss, bowel issues and heavy sweating it is important to seek medical advice even though these can be caused by other illnesses.

If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and you do experience any of the symptoms it would be wise to seek medical advice. If you are unlucky and are diagnosed with Mesothelioma you may have a right to claim compensation. It can be very easy to claim using the right legal representation and many have been successful even if it is difficult to prove your exposure to asbestos.

Want to find out more about Mesothelioma, then visit the ‘whats-my-claim-worth site to understand how you could be eligible for compensation.

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