A recent study shows that the long-term risk of developing mesothelioma increases even following cessation of asbestos exposure. A study done on eight patient groups concluded that the toxicity of asbestos within the body does not subside until 40-50 years after exposure. Asbestos exposure has been found to have direct links to the development of mesothelioma.
Both people exposed directly and through secondhand contact are very much at risk for long term development of mesothelioma. The study says that of more than 22,000 people observed in the study, 862 people developed the cancer. Of the 862 people, 707 developed pleural, or lung, mesothelioma and 155 developed peritoneal, or abdominal, cancer.
The new study helps to explain why there has not been a drop in mesothelioma patients year to year, despite the use of asbestos dropping dramatically since the 1960s and 1970s. The data from the research shows that for mesothelioma cases in the lungs, 44 percent of cases were not diagnosed until 40 years after first exposure, and 13 percent were not detected until 50 years after. Regarding mesothelioma cases in the abdomen, 54 percent are diagnosed 40 years after exposure, and 23 percent are not recognized until 50 years after asbestos exposure. The study found that not only does the risk for mesothelioma not decline after exposures, it actually continues to increase 10 to 50 years after the first exposure.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, contact Lopez McHugh for a free consultation.
