Mesothelioma can rob you of independence and greatly impact your quality of life. If left untreated, your condition may deteriorate rapidly and threaten your life.
Certain conditions may put you at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Knowing these conditions can help you pay particular attention to your health so you can implement reinforcements to protect yourself.
Your environment
You will face a substantially higher risk of mesothelioma when you work around asbestos. These small particles can settle on your clothing and your skin. Some careers with a greater risk of asbestos exposure include the following:
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Firefighting
- Welding
- Automotive repair
- Oil refinery
Prolonged and consistent exposure can have detrimental effects on your health. According to The Mayo Clinic, asbestos exposure can also impact the well-being of your family if you do not take extra precautions. Health care experts suggest that if you work near asbestos, you promptly remove dirty clothing and shower prior to coming home from work.
Your health history
Your health history can also play a role in your risk level of developing mesothelioma. Specific treatments such as radiation can increase your risk, as can a family history of the disease. If you live in an older home constructed with products using asbestos, you may unknowingly experience significant exposure to carcinogens.
If you know that you face a higher risk of mesothelioma, make sure you know the symptoms of this dangerous disease. At the earliest sign of concern, contact your health care provider to ask for help. If your exposure comes because of another’s negligence, an attorney may help you to push for compensatory damages for the ongoing health complications created from your exposure to asbestos.
