Mesothilioma Patient

Who gets mesothilioma ? This is widely linked to a person's occupation as a result of exposure to asbestos.

There are many people who end up with the disease, however certain industries seem to produce more patients than others. Here are the main sufferers of the disease:

• Construction workers
• Shipyard builders
• Plumbers
• Automechanics
• Electricians
• Boilermakers
• Power Plant workers
• Pipe fitters
• Roof fitters
• Miners
• Industrial workers

Unlike other cancers, mesothilioma shows no links from smoking or due to genetic affects. Despite the fact that the use of asbestos has been outlawed for many years now, each year there are hundreds of cases of mesothilioma reported. This leads to immediate medical action and lawsuits.

Mesothilioma affects 5 times as many men as it does women - likely due to the fact that men were in the affected construction industries at a higher rate than women.

Most commonly a CT scan is used to diagnose the presence of a malignant mesothilioma, as there are no serum tests to diagnose it.

Patient support is important and beneficial to help work through the medical and emotional responses to the disease.

Patients may also want to seek counselling or other ways of talking through the affects of mesothilioma.

Support services can also include clergy and religious leaders as well as home care providers like the blue Nurses or Red Cross.