Thursday, March 28, 2024

Guest Column

Mesothelioma Awareness Month & Day: What you need to know
On average, there are 3,000 people diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer every year in the United States.

Throughout the past couple years, asbestos and mold were found at the Old Hospital in Stillwater County.
Why is this a huge deal? As many people know, mold and asbestos can be damaging to one’s health through diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
But how much does it take to cause serious damage? With Sept. 26 being the official day for Mesothelioma Awareness Day, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the dangers of asbestos
Asbestos, which was a mineral used commonly in building materials in buildings, homes, and schools before the mid-1980s, was found to lead directly to a number of health problems. Asbestos was used because it had excellent fire resisting properties and was very durable.
The problem became clearer when studies found that as asbestos was released airborne, its rigid, durable microscopic fibers are easily inhaled and can become lodged in the linings of the lungs. Scar tissue starts to form and then leads to pleural mesothelioma cancer.
This can be where a common misconception of asbestos if born as if the mineral is properly installed and enclosed inside pipes, walls, and other areas of your home, it will not a be a threat to anyone. However, as buildings, schools, and homes erode over time, the asbestos can be released airborne, becoming an immediate health risk.
On average, there are 3,000 people diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer every year in the United States. In addition to that, studies say that there are about 2,500 deaths related to mesothelioma a year and 31,000+ in total between the years of 1999 and 2010.
Almost anyone can be at risk for asbestos exposure. The EPA averages that almost half the homes in the United States contain some trace of asbestos in them. In addition, this does not take into account office buildings, hospitals and schools that were built prior to the mid-1980s.
There is no correlation in the past between how much asbestos a person can be exposed to and if they develop mesothelioma. Which makes it even more important to be aware of possible asbestos in your home, school, or local workplace.
If asbestos is suspected in one of these buildings, then it should be inspected regularly to make sure it is not at risk to yourself and your family.
If you think that you have been exposed, make sure to see a doctor who specializes in mesothelioma as soon as possible. Early detection can drastically increase your treatment options and survival rate.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (https://www.mesothelioma.com/) is a national group located all over the country. Walsh is stationed in company headquarters in Connecticut. Traveling teams meet with people who want to learn more. They then help them with next steps for the best chance of survival and connecting with the top doctors in the country.