Mesothelioma and Asbestos

   Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a natural fiber that, when released into the air can be inhaled or ingested. Asbestos has no smell or taste, and asbestos fibers are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye.

   Asbestos fibers can "stick" in the lungs, abdomen and other tissues of the body and over time, lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. There is a long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma in other words, it can take decades after the first exposure to asbestos a person before he or she gets sick. A person who has been diagnosed with asbestosis (a noncancerous scarring of the lung) is a higher risk of developing mesothelioma in the future.

   Millions of people in the U.S. have been exposed to asbestos, and it is estimated that approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. In these pages, you will read about asbestos, cancer support and the common ways for occupational and environmental asbestos exposure.