Asbestos and Reproductive Cancers

By Joseph Devine

While asbestos was once thought to be an incredibly beneficial material, we now know that it causes cancer. Although the primary cancer associated with asbestos is mesothelioma, it can also cause lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, kidney, and colorectal cancers. Additionally, doctors are now finding links between ovarian cancer and a form of mesothelioma that affects the testes.

Despite evidence pointing to a link between deteriorating health and asbestos from the ancient Greeks and Romans, we continued to use asbestos, with it gaining mass popularity during the Industrial Revolution. Finally, in the late 1950s, doctors and researchers from a hospital in South Africa presented evidence that exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. However, it wasn't until the late 1980s that the U.S. government outlawed asbestos.

Sadly, asbestos had a widespread presence before it was banned. Asbestos was recognized as a wonderful insulating material because it is resistant to heat, flame, chemicals, electricity, and biodegradation. Thus, it was utilized in the construction, automotive, and shipping industry, which helps to explain its occurrence in ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, insulation, counter tops, brake pads, and gaskets.

However, now we know that asbestos is a carcinogen because it remains lodged in our bodies since we cannot degrade the material. While most cancers associated with asbestos affect the lungs or gastrointestinal system, it can also turn into ovarian cancer or a specific type of mesothelioma that attacks the lining of the testes.

Although there is no definite link yet, studies have shown that women who use talc powder laced with asbestos are three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those that do not. The powder must come into contact with the genital region, and the talc must contain the amphibole type of asbestos. Additionally, women who did not use the talc powder but whose husbands did were also 50% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.

Asbestos doesn't just affect women's reproductive systems. A rare form of mesothelioma attacks the lining of the testes. Mesothelioma cancer, as a whole, hurts the different linings of the body, including lungs, abdominal, heart, and even testes. The membrane lining that surrounds the testes is called the tunica vaginalis. When mesothelioma infests this membrane, it can harm the testes to the extent that part of a testicle or even an entire testicle must be removed.

These types of cancer can damage someone's chances to have children, as well as spread and affect other parts of the body. If you or someone you know has suffered from asbestos-related cancers and diseases, you should speak to a lawyer about your rights.

For more information, contact a Williams Kherkher asbestos attorney today.

Joseph Devine Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuits - Get the Truth

By Lisa J. Duluth

Asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits are commonly filed nowadays because of the increasing cases of mesothelioma being diagnosed by doctors. People who have been exposed to asbestos more than twenty or more years ago are now showing signs and symptoms of the disease caused by that exposure. There are now policies in many states that allow patients and relatives of those who have folks who died from mesothelioma to file a claim for compensations from companies and manufacturers responsible for using asbestos in their products. Online resources, doctors and lawyers can be approached for the fast and convenient processing of these claims.

There are two asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits that people could file against those companies. The first is the personal injury claim that can be filed by those who were diagnosed with the disease. It is recommended that filing be done as soon as diagnosis have been made in order to facilitate fast processing of the lawsuit and therefore fast release of compensation settlements for the patient and his family. The sum of compensation would be greatly needed by the patient for his treatment expenses and for support of his family in case of his death. Lawyers could handle everything for these patients as soon as patients have given them all the details they needed.

The second is the wrongful death suit that relatives of those who have died from the disease could file against these companies, even if their relative died many years ago. They can be granted compensations for the lost of their loved one. Both of these asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit if well-represented by expert and reputable lawyers could reward patients and families monetarily for the pain and sufferings brought about by the disease. They could also be compensated for lost wages, travel expenses to hospitals, medicines used in the treatment, funeral expenses, and group support and other necessary expenses incurred by the patient and families during the course of the disease.

For more information on Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma, Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit and much more, simply click on the links or visit LookMesothelioma.com.