You might remember commercials on the television discussing the dangers of mesothelioma, or you may recall hearing about the risks of asbestos. Regardless of how you came to know about mesothelioma, it’s important to know why it’s such a big deal.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is aggressive and difficult to treat. It typically affects the heart, abdomen or lungs. People who develop this form of cancer have most commonly come into contact with asbestos, which they breathed in.
There are around 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma reported each year. Most individuals who develop it have had previous exposure within the last 10 to 50 years. It takes time for this form of cancer to develop, so it’s common for the injuries to occur many years after the exposure.
The tragic part of mesothelioma is that only 33 percent of patients live longer than a year after diagnosis. The average life expectancy after developing the cancer is between six and 12 months, even with surgery, chemotherapy or other treatments.
If you’ve developed this kind of cancer, it’s important to discuss your case with your attorney. You and your family may be entitled to workers’ compensation or other forms of payment since this is a condition often linked to the workplace. If you were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, it doesn’t mean you’re going to develop this cancer, but it is a possibility. If you do, then you should fight for everything you’re entitled to, so you and your family can seek all the treatments possible without financial strain.
Source: Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center, “Mesothelioma,” accessed May 11, 2017
