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Information for Patients & Families

Exposure to asbestos, even in very small quantities, can cause mesothelioma or asbestosis. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which accounts for seventy to eighty percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses. There are two to three thousand new diagnoses of the cancer every year.

Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. Symptoms, most commonly affecting the lung(s), can sometimes take between 10-70 years to appear making diagnosis of the disease difficult.  When detected at an early stage, before symptoms become life-threatening, patients with asbestos cancer do have improved treatment options.

Most mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos in the workplace and were never aware of its dangers (Occupational Hazards – Shipbuilding and Asbestos). Unlike many other predominantly pulmonary-related cancers, cigarette smoking has no known causative affect on incidence of this form of cancer.

One of the most difficult aspects to come to terms with this disease is its long latency period, which is the period of time between first exposure to asbestos and the diagnosis of the disease. Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure.

If you, or a family member, are one of the victims of mesothelioma and have recently been diagnosed you should focus on surrounding yourself with the support and resources you need. You should also seek out a competent attorney so you can file a claim or a lawsuit against those responsible for your cancer. We have provided the following information to help patients and families find the assistance they need. Please feel free to contact us for additional assistance and information.

Contact the asbestos lawyers at Belluck & Fox so we can advise you of your legal options.

General Mesothelioma Information

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