Video Transcription
Hi, I’m attorney David Hood and I’ve been practicing law across South Carolina for over 30 years. One of the areas that we focus on is mesothelioma. A question we often get from our clients is “How do I catch mesothelioma and what do I do once I’ve been diagnosed with it?” We’re going to answer those questions for you today.
What is mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs, stomach, heart or testes. The most common form of the cancer, malignant plural mesothelioma, affects the lining of the lungs. The only known cause of mesothelioma is by being exposed to asbestos.
What causes mesothelioma?
So how do you get exposed to mesothelioma? From mills, automobile and truck repair work, construction, and the military and several other areas. Secondary exposure, by workers bringing asbestos fibers home on their clothes also cause MESO in family members. One problem can be that there is typically a long latency time to get mesothelioma. You may not have any symptoms until 10 to 50 years after your exposure. So, it’s important to piece together your entire work history in order to pinpoint how you got exposed to asbestos.
What are the symptoms?
There are many common symptoms to look out for with mesothelioma: stomach pain & swelling, chest pain, coughing, fatigue, muscle weakness and unexplained weight loss. The earlier the symptoms are detected, the better your prognosis. So, if you’re having these symptoms, please see a doctor immediately.
I hope this was helpful.
