With the peak in mesothelioma diagnoses expected to come within the next 10 years, former shipyard workers and Navy personnel should remain cautious for signs of an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.
Even those who may have been exposed to asbestos during the 1960s and 1970s are still at risk due to the severe latency period associated with mesothelioma. From the time someone was initially exposed to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 50 years to develop.
As a result of this latency period, patients who contract this rare cancer are often diagnosed after the disease has already reached the latest stages of development. In many cases, the mesothelioma life expectancy for patients diagnosed during an advanced stage of development is very poor and typically ranges between four and 18 months.
mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Before strict regulations were placed on the use of asbestos, shipyard workers extensively utilized asbestos-containing materials in the construction of ships. In turn, those who served in the Navy aboard these ships were likely to experience varying levels of asbestos exposure.
Because asbestos is a fibrous mineral, any disturbance to asbestos-containing materials may have caused the fibers that make up asbestos to become airborne. If inhaled, these jagged-like fibers could attach to the lining of the lungs and remain there for several decades, potentially forming malignant tumors later in life.
While a cure for mesothelioma does not currently exist, early detection can greatly increase a person’s chance of combating the cancer. Chest X-rays are an easy way to check for signs of asbestos exposure and former shipyard workers and Navy veterans who may have been exposed to asbestos should receive them regularly.
Additional information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the mesothelioma Center.