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What are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a largely unknown disease until today, despite the fact that it affects almost ten percent of the women above the age of forty years all over the world. The causes of this killer cancer are not known even after decades of research into it. Similarly it is unknown why some women have higher chances of getting breast cancers than others.
Though the causative factors are not known, some risk factors have been identified. There is no medical proof why these factors make the disease more probable, but this is a study of observation. In a vast cross-section of women with the observed risk factors, it has been found that the chances of getting breast cancers are very high.
The various risk factors for breast cancer are as follows:-
(1) Family History of Breast Cancer
If a near relative like a mother or a sister has had breast cancer, then there is a very high chance that the cancer will occur sometime in life. This propensity is observed even if far relatives such as cousins and aunts have had breast cancer, though the chances are lesser as the relatives are more removed. Even if a male relative has had breast cancer or prostate cancer, then there is a chance of getting breast cancer. This clearly indicates that breast cancer runs through family lines through inheritance. Certainly the chances are very high if more than one family member has had breast cancer.
(2) Personal History of Breast Cancer
If a woman has had breast cancer in the past, then there is a great chance that the breast cancer may recur. This is true even if the cancer had been removed in its benign stage itself. Sometimes the cancer cells spread into the nearby lymph. This makes a possibility that the cancer will occur in the opposite breast. In fact, women who have had cancer in one breast have 50 to 75% more chances of developing the cancer in the other breast.
(3) Diseases of the Breast
Several breast diseases can increase the chances of having breast cancer. Changes in the cells of the breasts can lead to atypical hyperplasia. This condition can cause a three to fourfold increase in the possibility of getting breast cancer in the later years. This risk also exists if the atypical hyperplasia has occurred in other women of the family. Another such condition is the benign breast tumor condition known as fibro adenoma. However, women with fibrocystic breasts generally do not have any added vulnerability to breast cancer. Yet, such conditions could make the breasts lumpy and hide the real tumors (if any) during mammography.
(4) Lifestyle
In today’s world, lifestyle is the single largest contributing factor for the proliferation of breast cancer among women. Several elements of the lifestyle have been found to be directly accordant with the prevalence of breast cancer. Smoking and alcoholism in women are among the chief factors. Even diet has been pointed out as an important risk factor. Women who consume a diet with more high-cholesterol fats in them have higher chances of breast cancer. At the same time leading a sedentary lifestyle without indulging much in physical activity are also potentially dangerous.
(5) Radiation
It has been found that women who undergo radiation therapies in their chest region at a young age have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in their later lives. Radiation therapy is generally prescribed for women with conditions like Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. So women who have undergone such treatments may get breast cancer in their later years.
(6) Hormonal Imbalances There are several factors that can change the hormone balance of the body. Some of them are:- a) Beginning the menstrual cycle early, i.e. before the age of twelve years, b) Having the first pregnancy after the age of thirty years, c) Having no pregnancy at all, d) Having a late menopause. All these conditions can increase the level of estrogen in the body. This increases the risk of getting breast cancer to a mild extent. Apart from that women who take regular birth control pills, breast enhancement supplements, antidepressants and antihistamines and hormone modifying supplements stand at a higher risk to get breast cancers.
The above are the major risk factors for breast cancers. But since the study on breast cancers is not yet complete, the above is by no means a complete list. There are several other indications of breast cancers, like breast implant operations; but these have not yet been confirmed. The implants used in the earlier days were made of silicone gels. These were riskier in terms of breast cancer. However, nowadays the silicone gel implants have been replaced by saline implants. This has reduced the risk to a great extent.
It must be also noted that women have much higher chances of getting breast cancer than men. In fact, most people think that breast cancer is a disease that affects only women. This is not true. Men also get breast cancers, but to a much lesser degree than women. Also, age is a very important factor. The chances of getting breast cancer are much higher when the woman has crossed the age of 50 years.
Why You Should Consult an Asbestos Lawyer
If you've been diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos exposure, a lawyer familiar with the laws surrounding asbestos and compensation could be one of your most valuable allies. An asbestos lawyer can help you recover medical costs and compensation for the pain, loss and suffering you and your family are going through. An experienced asbestos lawyer can work with you to establish that your condition was caused by asbestos, and identify those that are to blame for your illness so that they can be held accountable for your illness and losses.
Why Asbestos Is a Matter for the Courts
From the early 1900s through the mid-1970s, many industries in the United States hid the facts about asbestos from the public, the government and even their own employees. Even though they knew that working around asbestos can scar your lungs and cause several types of cancer, they told no one. Instead, the executives of those companies actively conspired to hide the danger rather than provide their workers with safety equipment that would have reduced their exposure and their risk of developing deadly cancers and other diseases.
The companies that used asbestos in their products or manufactured asbestos products knew as early as the 1920s that asbestos was a killer. They were told by their own doctors and researchers that asbestos caused lung disease. Many were also told that they could lessen the risks by providing their workers with face masks and using air filters.
They chose to ignore the warnings rather than spend a few cents of their profits to protect their employees. The internal memos and communications from these companies that have been brought out in court are horrifying in their cavalier attitude of putting a few pennies profit above the lives of their workers and their customers.
It is the fact that they knowingly exposed their workers to danger that forms the basis for most court cases against the asbestos companies. In the court systems, this is known as negligence and callous disregard, and can entitle the victims to recover both actual and punitive damages.
Why You Need an Asbestos Lawyer
Because of the long latency period, it can be difficult to identify when and where you were exposed to asbestos. The companies that you worked for may have changed their names or gone out of business. You may have been exposed to asbestos from many different sources. More often than not, there is more than one company or entity that could be held legally responsible for your illness.
In addition, the laws on bringing suit for injuries resulting from your job vary from state to state. There are statutes of limitation that must be observed, and matters of jurisdiction that will affect where you can file your lawsuit. The whole field of asbestos law is constantly changing as the courts and governments attempt to deal with the enormous number of people who were injured by the actions of the asbestos industries. Making sense of the maze of regulations requires a skilled asbestos lawyer who understands the most current rulings.
What An Asbestos Lawyer Can Do For You
An experienced asbestos lawyer will do far more than go to court for you. Because of their experience in the field, asbestos lawyers have access to records and materials that can help identify the source of your asbestos exposure. They understand the stresses that you are living with and can help you find ways to deal with them. An asbestos lawyer may have access to information about your illness and resources that will help you financially and emotionally while your case is pending.
As a worker, you may not even have known that you were working with asbestos, but given the names of the companies for which you worked, an experienced asbestos lawyer can often discover the names and suppliers of the products that you used in your job and link them to specific companies that can be held responsible.
If it turns out that there has been a settlement against one of those companies, your asbestos lawyer may be able to help you file for compensation under that settlement. If there is not, he or she can advise you of your options for filing suit against the companies and negotiate with them to get you a settlement that is in your best interest.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related illness, call a local asbestos lawyer to find out how they can help you get the help that you need.
California Asbestos Lawsuits Grabbing Attention
California asbestos lawyers are grabbing plenty of attention as the rate of mesothelioma lawsuits climb. Asbestos litigation is definitely on the rise, proving that California manufacturing companies and construction companies failed to take adequate measures to keep their employees safe and protected over the past 30 years.
While California asbestos lawyers can do very little to negate the pain and suffering their clients face on a daily basis, a mesothelioma lawsuit provides the best chance of offering these clients peace of mind and financial security for their families. California asbestos lawyers have been speaking on behalf of their clients for over 50 years, and will continue to do so for as long as mesothelioma victims choose to file mesothelioma lawsuits in order to claim their legal rights to compensation.
Despite the rise in asbestos litigation, there has been little done to thwart future mesothelioma lawsuits. There will most likely be a continual rise in asbestos litigation, as it is not always necessary for a client to have been diagnosed with mesothelioma prior to filing asbestos litigation. In some cases, exposure to asbestos is enough to file.
This is not true in every case, but companies that knowingly exposed employees and other individuals to the dangers of asbestos are now finding themselves facing off with California asbestos lawyers who are ready and willing to take on the fight. Potential for mesothelioma has proven enough in the past for asbestos litigation.
Where will these cases end up? It is hard to determine how long the government is going to allow asbestos litigation to continue without an actual diagnosis, but the potential threat has proven to be enough in the court of public opinion and in the eyes of jurors.
It has truly become unthinkable, and in the eyes of California asbestos lawyers a severe tragedy, that today's society has not cracked down on workforce safety. Big business has placed very high demands on the American worker and has done little above and beyond the bare minimum required by law to protect their employees.
Some California asbestos lawyers cite the likelihood of employee turnover as a possible cause for this, but yet are still able to determine in the court room the foul nature of this attitude during mesothelioma lawsuits. Without asbestos litigation, mesothelioma victims would be virtually unheard. Mesothelioma strikes approximately 3000 to 3500 new victims every year.
Asbestos litigation has brought to the forefront the dangers of asbestos exposure. Since the number of new victims is quite small in comparison to other diseases, asbestos litigation is the only attention grabbing venue for victims. However, who can really ignore the fact that this means that 3000 people every year lose their health and eventually their life to a disease that is entirely preventable?
The unthinkable health conditions that mesothelioma victims are forced to live with are revealed to many people for the first time sitting in a jury box during a mesothelioma lawsuit. For many Americans, the term mesothelioma means nothing until they are involved in asbestos litigation, and the education they receive from the California asbestos lawyer is mind blowing.
Mesothelioma as a disease has not received its due recognition from the medical community, except for a small percentage of specialists, and of course with the exception of asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits, the legal community hasn't heard nearly enough about the effects of asbestos exposure.
California asbestos lawyers are hoping to capture the attention of both legislators and the public through asbestos litigation in order to improve the quality of care and determine demands for changes in light of mesothelioma victims. Mesothelioma is always 100% the result of asbestos exposure, and without determining the responsible companies or organizations through mesothelioma lawsuits, there are numerous cases of mesothelioma that would never have been prevented.
It has become quite natural for companies who have been on the cross examining end of a California asbestos lawyer to be sure to change their asbestos exposure policies to beyond state and national requirements. It is unfortunate that it requires litigation to encourage company participation in the prevention of mesothelioma.
Hopefully as time goes on and California asbestos lawyers grab more of the public's eye, they will be able to help facilitate changes in the quality of workforce safety as well as raise the standard of mesothelioma health care.
Today's mesothelioma victims are pioneers in their own time, braving the stress and turmoil of a mesothelioma lawsuit to not only to fight for their rights, but to pave the way for others to do the same while hopefully preventing future case of mesotheliom, with a hopeful heart.
The History of Asbestos-Related Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a fiber that was once used in construction as insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos fibers are small and toxic, easily entering the body through the lungs and causing a number of health problems. Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the meosthelium or protective lining that covers the body's internal organs, most notably the lining of the lungs and chest, known as the pleura. While mesothelioma can be caused by other factors, the majority of cases are linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos-related mesothelioma first gained attention in 1929 when the first lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers was filed. Both sides settled and agreed to avoid pursuing similar cases in the future, and asbestos harmful effects yet again dropped off the radar.
In 1960, however, asbestos and mesothelioma were in the news again. In a paper published by Wagner et al, asbestos was declared as the official cause of mesothelioma. The paper cited more than 30 cases of mesothelioma in people who were either working in asbestos mines or spent a good deal of time in proximity to asbestos. Two years later, an Australian asbestos worker was diagnosed with the first case of malignant mesothelioma. He worked in the asbestos mines in Wittenoom, Australia for just two years before developing the disease.
Wittenoom would eventually become a mesothelioma nightmare. A mining town that revolved around the asbestos mills, the mines asbestos waste had an affect on many who lived there, whether or not they worked in the mines. Toxic levels of the mines asbestos were found on playgrounds, and cases of mesothelioma began to crop up in mine workers and non-mine workers alike. Mining in Wittenoom lasted from 1943 to 1966 despite the existence of proof that asbestos caused mesothelioma and other serious medical conditions.
The mines were owned and operated by CSR Limited, a company that produced aluminum and construction materials including asbestos insulation. The company didn't take proper safety precautions to control the exposure of individuals to asbestos from the mines.
In fact, during the period that CSR Limited Wittenoom mines were in operation, thousands of mine workers, their families, and visitors were exposed to lethal amounts of asbestos. There were regulations in place at the time as to how to control asbestos exposure for mine operators; CSR Limited simply didn't follow them.
The Western Australia Health Department issued several warnings to CSR, but they failed to make any changes to protect the miners and townspeople, even after many cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases began to spring up.
In the late 1970's the Western Australian government began shutting down the town of Wittenoom because it was no longer safe to live there. Asbestos levels were far too toxic, and, eventually, at least a third of those exposed to asbestos in Wittenoom would be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
In 1979, suits were brought against CSR Limited, and they were found to have shown conscious negligence and disregard for the safety of the mine workers and the town. Even now, new cases of mesothelioma related to the Wittenoom tragedy are being diagnosed, costing CSR Limited millions of dollars in settlements.
Asbestos is still widely used in many products today, despite its toxicity. Attempts to legislate a ban on asbestos, so far, has been overturned by the courts. The EPA has resources available to provide you with information about asbestos, asbestos-related products, and how to control your asbestos exposure.
Breast Cancer - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Over the course of a lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is a cancer of the breast tissue, which can occur in both women and men. Breast cancer may be one of the oldest known forms of cancer tumors in humans.Worldwide, breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer). Breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any cancer except lung cancer. Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be a result of damage to DNA. How this mechanism may occur comes from several known or hypothesized factors (such as exposure to ionizing radiation, or viral mutagenesis). Some factors lead to an increased rate of mutation (exposure to estrogens) and decreased repair (the BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53) genes. Alcohol generally appears to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer can also occur in men, although it rarely does. Experts predict 178,000 women and 2,000 men will develop breast cancer in the United States. There are several different types of breast cancer. First is Ductal carcinoma begins in the cells lining the ducts that bring milk to the nipple and accounts for more than 75% of breast cancers. Second is Lobular carcinoma begins in the milk-secreting glands of the breast but is otherwise fairly similar in its behavior to ductal carcinoma. Other varieties of breast cancer can arise from the skin, fat, connective tissues, and other cells present in the breast. Some women have what is known as HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2, short for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, is a gene that helps control cell growth, division, and repair. When cells have too many copies of this gene, cell growth speeds up.
Causes of Breast Cancer
Simply being a woman is the main risk for breast cancer. While men can also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men. The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. Nearly 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women age 50 or older. About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are linked to changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common gene changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. Woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from the first cancer coming back Many experts now believe that the main reason for this is because they have faster growing tumors. Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian women have a lower risk of getting breast cancer. Certain types of abnormal biopsy results can be linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest area (as treatment for another cancer) earlier in life have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer
Some pregnant women were given the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) because it was thought to lower their chances of losing the baby. Recent studies have shown that these women (and their daughters who were exposed to DES while in the uterus), have a slightly increased risk of getting breast cancer. Use of alcohol is clearly linked to a slightly increased risk of getting breast cancer. Women who have 1 drink a day have a very small increased risk. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 11 times the risk of women who drink no alcohol. The American Cancer Society suggests limiting the amount you drink.Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially for women after change of life and if the weight gain took place during adulthood. Also, the risk seems to be higher if the extra fat is in the waist area. Breast-feeding and pregnancy: Some studies have shown that breast-feeding slightly lowers breast cancer risk, especially if the breast-feeding lasts 11 to 2 years. This could be because breast-feeding lowers a woman’s total number of menstrual periods, as does pregnancy. Women who began having periods early (before 12 years of age) or who went through the change of life (menopause) after the age of 55 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
1.Lumps.
2.Rash.
3.Breast Pain.
4.Cysts.
5.Nipple Discharge.
6.Inverted Nipple.
Treatment of Breast Cancer
1.Hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen).
2.Chemotherapy.
3.Radiotherapy.
4.Surgery.
Asbestos Lawsuits - Protecting Your Rights
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Asbestos lawsuits have become a major issue in many states. The high damages that have been awarded to many plaintiffs have encouraged people suffering from asbestos related conditions to file their own asbestos lawsuits in the hope of recovering some of the financial costs of treating mesothelioma, asbestosis and other medical costs arising from exposure to asbestos. Because so many people have been affected by asbestos exposure, the courts in many states have become bogged down with hundreds and sometimes thousands of asbestos lawsuits awaiting trial.
To ease the crush of asbestos lawsuits awaiting trial, many states have taken a second look at the way that their court systems deal with asbestos related cases. In some cases, this has led to legislation that changes the statute of limitations on bringing an asbestos lawsuit, or in changing requirements for filing a lawsuit related to asbestos exposure.
The intent of most such legislation has been to reduce the number of suits filed and make it easier for those who are the sickest to have their cases heard in court the soonest. In California, for instance, asbestos lawsuits where the plaintiff has been diagnosed with mesothelioma go to the front of the queue for court scheduling.
Among the changes that are being considered in many states are laws that would restrict who can file an asbestos lawsuit in their courts, the time limits for filing asbestos related suits, and the type of suits that are allowed. Some courts will only hear asbestos lawsuits if the defendant or plaintiff reside in or do business in their district.
Others interpret jurisdiction far more liberally. Still others have passed legislation that discourages or prohibits the bundling of many asbestos plaintiffs into one case. In some states, you must have a diagnosed asbestos related disease in order to file suit, but at least one judge has ruled that plaintiffs may bring suit based on their risk of developing mesothelioma, citing the heightened awareness and fear of developing mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure.
The "asbestos crisis" has even prompted federal action. Since the mid-1990s, the federal government has been attempting to pass legislation that would remove the right to bring asbestos lawsuits from the hundreds of thousands of people who have been and may still be exposed to asbestos and become ill as a result.
These bills are highly supported by the insurance industry and those companies who have been held accountable for exposing their employees and the public to asbestos in the workplace and the environment.
The most recent iteration of federal asbestos legislation was the 2005 FAIR (Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution) bill. The bill laid out the structure of a national fund that would pay out specific monetary awards to people who could document particular illnesses, based on how sick they were.
The awards were to be funded by a trust made up of contributions from many of the companies who were guilty of exposing their workers to asbestos. The FAIR bill would have removed the right for people who were injured by asbestos to sue those responsible, and limited the amounts that they could recover to prescribed amounts.
The intent of the FAIR bill, according to its supporters, was to ensure that those who actually suffered damages from asbestos exposure are fairly compensated for their injuries without having to face months and years of trial.
While the intent sounds noble, the true purpose of the FAIR bill is to limit the financial accountability of industry for the damages that it has caused. According to most medical and legal experts who examined the 2005 FAIR bill, it was seriously flawed in a number of ways.
- It seriously underfunded the trust that was meant to completely compensate those who were ill with asbestos related diseases. The amount that it called for, said those experts, wouldn't even be enough to cover the current cases awaiting trial, let alone the several thousand new cases that are diagnosed annually.
- The FAIR bill would have removed the rights of those who were exposed to asbestos outside the workplace, either because their family members brought home asbestos dust on their clothing and in their hair, or because they lived in the vicinity of a plant that processed asbestos. Under the provisions of the FAIR bill, those people would not be able to file asbestos lawsuits despite the fact that the bill made no provision for compensating them for their injuries.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease, you may have the right to recover compensation for your injuries and loss. Find out about your rights to file an asbestos lawsuit before the changing laws take them away for good.
What Is Asbestos?
What is Asbestos?
According to the Asbestos Network, asbestos actually refers to several naturally occurring minerals. These minerals have been used in commercial products to increase strength and flexibility. The Asbestos Network claims that these minerals are a mix of metals, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Asbestos, like coal or gold is mined. Some of the countries that mine asbestos include the United Sates, Canada, South America and the former Soviet Union.
Types of Asbestos
Asbestos is not just one substance; in fact it can be divided into several different types, and these types can be divided into two basic groups. These two groups are serpentine and amphibole. Environmental Health and Safety claims that the serpentine group only contains one member: chrysotile. This type of asbestos is the most common form found in buildings and is also known as "white asbestos."
Both the Asbestos Network and Environmental Health and Safety list five different types of asbestos within the amphibole group. These five include amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Amosite is the second most prevalent type found in building materials and is also referred to as "brown asbestos." Crocidolite, "blue asbestos," is found in structures where the materials need to be safe from high temperatures. The final three, anthyphyllite, tremolite, and actinolite, are rarely found.
Problems Related to Asbestos
The Asbestos Network explains that contact with asbestos can cause diseases such as asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma. The fibrous nature of asbestos causes much of the problem. The fibers may get caught in the lungs and create lung damage. Or, they may even be swallowed and become lodged in membranes of the gastrointestinal track, according to the Asbestos Network. Again, this could lead to cancer of the lungs or of the GI tract. So while it may be thought that the lungs are the only place that can be damaged, it is other parts of the body can be negatively affected by asbestos.
Who is at Risk?
According to the Asbestos Network, the "dose" of asbestos that a person is exposed to equals the combination of the concentration, or the amount of asbestos in the air, and the duration, or the length of time that a person is exposed to asbestos. The more asbestos inhaled, the greater the chance of damage to lungs or other internal organs. Also, the Network says that cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of contracting an asbestos disease as it decreases the general health of the lungs. The Asbestos Network also lists several occupations that may be more likely to suffer from asbestos created diseases. These occupations include construction work, ship building, railroad working and automobile engineers.
How To Avoid It
There are several things that those who work around asbestos can do to limit their contact with the cancer causing fibers. The American Lung Association of Georgia insists on no eating or drinking while you are working. The Association also urges workers not to smoke and to follow proper guidelines when handling asbestos. Employers that place their employees in asbestos filled areas should have the employees properly trained on how to handle the substance, as well as how to avoid interacting with it.
Can You File a Legal Claim For Getting Asbestos Mesothelioma?
Have you ever been exposed to asbestos? Have you ever been short of breath or has experienced chest pains coupled with a notable weight loss? If you answered yes to both questions then you may be exhibiting some symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer which results from exposure to asbestos. Those who have worked in an asbestos factory or have been exposed to asbestos in any way like when washing the clothes of someone exposed to asbestos are more likely to get asbestos mesothelioma. People who have had their homes renovated with the use of asbestos materials should also take note of the symptoms as they may already have asbestos mesothelioma.
Most people who get asbestos mesothelioma do not easily relate their exposure to asbestos with this rare cancer form because the symptoms may appear after a long period of exposure to asbestos, in some cases, even after 40 years from exposure.
It is difficult to get a diagnosis of asbestos mesothelioma because the symptoms are much like the other illnesses like shortness of breath, coughing, weight loss and chest pains. However, if the symptoms are backed up by a history of asbestos exposure then there is a possibility that the person is indeed afflicted with asbestos mesothelioma.
The number of people reportedly diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma has increased over the past years maybe because of the increasing awareness of people that getting this cancer from asbestos exposure can entitle them to a legal claim. In fact, most of the victims of asbestos mesothelioma who have filed a legal claim have received compensation from companies found guilty of being negligent and causing the exposure of the victims to asbestos.
People who think they have asbestos mesothelioma or who know of others who have been exposed to asbestos and who exhibit the symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma should consult a solicitor as soon as possible to help them file a legal claim.
A legal claim against the asbestos industry is possible with the aid of solicitors who have filed thousands of lawsuits on behalf of people who have asbestos mesothelioma. The solicitors can advise the victim on how to make sure that the cause of their illness is asbestos exposure. The solicitors can also help them file a legal claim against negligent employers aside from the legal claim against the manufacturers.
Being able to file a legal claim against asbestos manufacturers is the first step in getting proper compensation for being inflicted with asbestos mesothelioma. However, a legal claim is proper only if it can be shown that the cause of asbestos mesothelioma is asbestos exposure and that the parties responsible for the exposure are properly identified. These are matters best handled by solicitors.
A legal claim for asbestos mesothelioma can be settled by the manufacturers when the proper legal claim has been filed, meaning exposure to asbestos has been proven and the negligent employer or manufacturer identified. A person inflicted with asbestos mesothelioma, or his dependents, can get thousands to millions of dollars depending on some factors.
Human Papilloma Virus and Cancers
In recent years, it has become clear that certain types of human cancers have a viral component to their etiology. Cancers due to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are most common among these. This has been a study of intense research for number of years. Specific types of HPV genotypes were found to be the causative agents of some common cancers, most notable invasive cervical carcinoma. Apart from this anogenital cancer, HPV’s are also causally associated with other anogenital cancers such as cancers of vulva, vagina, penis and anus. HPV is also responsible for approximately 20-30% of head and neck cancers [1].
Association OF HPV with Cervical cancer
The link between HPV and cervical cancer is now established beyond doubts. Many epidemiological [2], [3] and molecular evidences [4] suggest the causal association of HPV’s with cervical cancer. It has been estimated that about 500,000 women acquire cervical cancers every year and 75% of this are from developing countries. In United States about 13000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed every year and about 7000 deaths annually from prevalent disease [5].
Evidence suggests that the great majority of all grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia can be attributed to cancer-associated types of HPV infections [3]. It has been estimated that only about 10% of the HPV patients would develop cervical dysplasia and of these only few people would develop cervical cancer. Studies conducted on HPV DNA in a variety of genital lesions suggested that HPV types 16 and 18 are most closely associated with risk of genital cancers [4] and some of HPV types are considered to be more prevalent among cervical cancer patients in a specific geographical areas; HPV 45 in Western African [6].
The development of cervical cancer is associated with factors other than just high risk HPV infection. Factors like impaired cell mediated immunity, long term use of contraceptives and smoking also increase the risk of gaining and the persistence of HPV types which in turn may lead to cervical cancers [7],[8].
Association of HPV with other anogenital cancers
Strong links between HPV and anogenital cancers such as penile, anal, vulvar cancers have been demonstrated by many studies. These cancers are formed from lesions develop in the vagina, vulva, penis and anus as the result of sexual contact [9]. But the exact role of HPV in the natural history of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions is still unknown [10].
Studies indicate that about 1% of sexually active adults in the United States show visible genital wart and about 15 % have sub clinical infection. The most commonly detected HPV types were found to be HPV 16 and 18 [11]. But, HPV types 56, 59-64 and 71 also have been isolated in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia [12] .
Association of HPV with head and neck cancer
The term head and neck cancer refer to the cancers in the oral cavity, lip, nose, para nasal sinuses, naso-pharynx, oro-parynx, larynx, oesophagus, salivary glands, soft tissues of the neck and ear. Oral cancer is the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide and about 620,000 patients are diagnosed with cancer of oral cavity every year [13]. Many studies have found evidence suggestive of a role for human papilloma virus in head and neck cancer [14],[15]. Though the exact mode of transmission of HPV infection in the head and neck region has not been determined, it’s association with sexual behavior and perinatal transmission have been demonstrated [16].
During the pathogenesis of HPV, it enters to the host through the mucosal epithelial layer surface. Oral mucosa resembles the mucosa of the genital region in their histological structure. As the correlation between HPV and cervical cancer are well established, the resemblance of the mucosal histology led to the suggestion that HPV could play a role in the development of benign and malignant lesions of the oral mucosa [17].
After the first report of papilloma virus in tongue carcinoma[14], many studies have shown the presence of HPV DNA in oral cavity [15] and head and neck cancer [13]. The most prevalent HPV types in these were found to be HPV 16 and 18. Further epidemiologic and molecular investigation should be carried out to establish a precise relationship between HPV and head and neck cancer.
HPV INDUCED CANCER DETECTION
Detective measures to date have centered on screening programs for HPV induced cancers. The most common and the traditional way of screening for cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia are to conduct a pap smear test. This has significantly reduced the incidence of cervical cancers in recent years. If the result is turned out to be positive, then the colposcopy would be carried. Since cervical cancer and anal cancer resembles in their biological features, it has been observed that screening for anal high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions with anal pap smear allows detecting individuals at risk of developing anal cancers. To obtain a confirmatory result, an anoscopic examination should be performed [18, 19].
Detection of earlier stage of head and neck cancers as well as premalignant lesions can be done by regular physical examinations by the doctor. Any abnormalities should be further evaluated. An endoscopy is performed on the samples obtained from throat, larynx, and upper esophagus. Computed tomographic (CT) scans, magnetic resonances imaging (MRI) scans or ultrasounds could be performed to identify the size and extent to which the cancer has spread from its site of origin [20].
No standard screening tests are followed for vulvar cancers. In vulvar cancer lymph node pathologic status is the most important predictive factor. A study conducted by De Ceccoc et al indicated that Lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel-node biopsy under gamma-detecting probe guidance are easy and reliable methods for the detection of sentinel node in early vulvar cancer [21]. Coloscopy can also be used to detect abnormalities on vulvar epethilia [19].
The above mentioned tests cannot be used to detect the presence or absence of the virus which would eventually cause a cancer. A test based on the hybrid capture technologies is now available to detect 13 cancer causing kinds of HPV. This technology is based on the principle of signal amplification of a hybrid species produced by RNA probes fixed with HPV DNA [22]. Polymerase chain reaction is one of the most sensitive tests for HPV DNA detection [23]. But Zhao M. et al suggest that there could be limitations in this method when applying to a broad population [24]. Studies indicate that HPV DNA testing is one of the most effective tests which could be used for the prevention of cervical cancer [25].
In a study conducted by Reid et al, to compare the efficacy of cervical cytology, cervicography and/or DNA hybridization for cervical cancer screening, showed that none of the tests succeeded in identifying all the abnormalities [26].
REFERENCES
1. I. Benjamin Paz, N.C., Tamara Odom-Maryon, Yuan Xie, Sharon P. Wilczynski,, Human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck cancer. Cancer, 1997. 79(3): p. 595-604.
2. Koutsky, L.A., et al., A cohort study of the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 in relation to papillomavirus infection. N Engl J Med, 1992. 327(18): p. 1272-8.
3. Schiffman, M.H., et al., Epidemiologic evidence showing that human papillomavirus infection causes most cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1993. 85(12): p. 958-64.
4. JC Macnab, S.W., JW Cordiner, and JB Clements, Human papillomavirus in clinically and histologically normal tissue of patients with genital cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1986. 315(17): p. 1052-1058.
5. Parkin, D.M., P. Pisani, and J. Ferlay, Estimates of the worldwide incidence of 25 major cancers in 1990. Int J Cancer, 1999. 80(6): p. 827-41.
6. Bosch, F.X., et al., Prevalence of human papillomavirus in cervical cancer: a worldwide perspective. International biological study on cervical cancer (IBSCC) Study Group. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1995. 87(11): p. 796-802.
7. Calore, E.E., S.M. Pereira, and M.J. Cavaliere, Progression of cervical lesions in HIV-seropositive women: a cytological study. Diagn Cytopathol, 2001. 24(2): p. 117-9.
8. Brisson, J., et al., Risk factors for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: differences between low- and high-grade lesions. Am J Epidemiol, 1994. 140(8): p. 700-10.
9. Jung, W.W., et al., Strategies against human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer. J Microbiol, 2004. 42(4): p. 255-66.
10. Palefsky, J.M., et al., Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in anal intraepithelial neoplasia and anal cancer. Cancer Res, 1991. 51(3): p. 1014-9.
11. Koutsky, P., Laura, Epidemiology of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection. The American Journal of Medicine, 1997. 102(5, Supplement 1): p. 3-8.
12. Longuet, M., S. Beaudenon, and G. Orth, Two novel genital human papillomavirus (HPV) types, HPV68 and HPV70, related to the potentially oncogenic HPV39. J. Clin. Microbiol., 1996. 34(3): p. 738-744.
13. Syrjanen, S., Human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck cancer. J Clin Virol, 2005. 32 Suppl 1: p. S59-66.
14. de Villiers, E.M., et al., Papillomavirus DNA in human tongue carcinomas. Int J Cancer, 1985. 36(5): p. 575-8.
15. Palefsky, J.M., et al., Association between proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and infection with human papillomavirus type 16. J Oral Pathol Med, 1995. 24(5): p. 193-7.
16. Szentirmay, Z., et al., Human papillomavirus in head and neck cancer: molecular biology and clinicopathological correlations. Cancer Metastasis Rev, 2005. 24(1): p. 19-34.
17. Woods, K.V., et al., Analysis of human papillomavirus DNA in oral squamous cell carcinomas. J Oral Pathol Med, 1993. 22(3): p. 101-8.
18. Sheary B, D.L., Cervical screening and human papillomavirus. Aust Fam Physician., 2005. 34(7): p. 578-80.
19. JD., O., Genitoanal papillomavirus infection--a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Semin Dermatol., 1990. 9(2): p. 141-7.
20. Antunes, J.L.F., et al., Trends and spatial distribution of oral cancer mortality in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1980-1998. Oral Oncology, 2001. 37(4): p. 345-350.
21. C De Cicco, M.S., M Bartolomei, C Grana, M Cremonesi, M Fiorenza, A Maggioni, L Bocciolone, C Mangioni, N Colombo and G Paganelli, Sentinel node biopsy in early vulvar cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 2000. 82: p. 295-299.
22. Thomas, R.J., Early Detection of Cervical Cancer -New diagnostics identify HPV. Modern Drug Discovery, 2000. 4: p. 57-58.
23. Miller CS, Z.M., White DK., Detection of HPV DNA in oral carcinoma using polymerase chain reaction together with in situ hybridization. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol., 1994. 77(5): p. 480-6.
24. Ming Zhao, E.R., Andre Lopes Carvalho, Wayne Koch, WeiWen Jiang, David Sidransky, Joseph Califano,, Feasibility of quantitative PCR-based saliva rinse screening of HPV for head and neck cancer. International Journal of Cancer, 2005. 117(4): p. 605-610.
25. Denny, L.A., Human papillomavirus testing and screening. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2005. 19(4): p. 501-15.
26. Harry, T.C.S., K.M., Evaluation of the Hybrid Capture human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid detection test. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1996. 175(3): p. 758-9.
Asbestos Litigation in California
California asbestos laws have changed over the past few years, showing more favor toward the side of companies that have violated California asbestos laws prior to the year 1980.
Asbestos litigation has taken on a whole new meaning as lawyers have had to take on this new specialty and grow into asbestos lawyers. What does all this mean for California residents in need of asbestos litigation?
It means that the lawsuit being filed by California based asbestos lawyers are under a more scrutinous attack, which mean the time to enter into an asbestos lawsuit in the state of California is now.
Asbestos lawyers recommended a consultation for any individual who has been exposed needlessly to asbestos, even if they have not yet been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, the cancer specifically caused by asbestos exposure.
Filing asbestos litigation cases prior to determining that the exposed victim is ill is not uncommon. This is done to protect the rights of the victim while the California asbestos laws allow for a tolerable and reasonable settlement, as California asbestos laws change often enough to complicate cases in the future.
Of course, victims with open and shut cases will always have some favor in the eyes of California asbestos laws, but open and shut cases are harder and harder to come by. Most asbestos litigation isn't as simple as it seems. Often people were employed by more than one company within their working lifetime and proving that the asbestos exposure that is prompting the asbestos litigation came from any one particular company is not always simple.
Many companies who have experienced asbestos litigation understand the penalties for intentionally or negligently exposing their employees to asbestos, and have chosen unscrupulous routes to avoid ending up in any additional asbestos litigation.
California asbestos law is complex and requires an expert to help decipher it. It is important for those considering pursuing asbestos litigation to get the professional counsel that an asbestos lawyer can offer.
Asbestos lawyers are up to date on all the changes in California asbestos law and can help those who were needlessly exposed to asbestos understand their rights within the realms of the ever changing California asbestos laws. Naturally, the entire state of affairs is completely unfair, and people need to understand that while companies may be empathetic to a victim's plight, most companies by now have changed hands, or at least management, and are now also trying to protect the rights of the current workforce, even if that means allowing a Mesothelioma victim flounder in their pain, suffering, and exorbitant medical bills.
This is of course unfair to those who worked tirelessly for these companies in the past, and it is a fine ethical line for the companies of the present to find a middle ground to protect all employees, past, present, and even future.
California asbestos laws are not the only asbestos laws which have undergone change over the past few years. Asbestos lawyers all over the country are having to fight harder for victim's rights. However, in most cases, these victims are still receiving fair judgments and settlement offers, at least for now.
There have been asbestos litigation cases that have been filed on behalf of those who are not sick and may or may not become ill in the future, however the threat that asbestos exposure brings with it is often enough to enter into asbestos litigation. It takes a talented asbestos lawyer, one who is on top of every change in California asbestos laws, to complete these premature examples of asbestos litigation, however the claims are still very legitimate.
The best advice an asbestos lawyer can offer anyone wondering if they qualify for asbestos litigation under the current California asbestos laws is to receive a consultation. Most asbestos lawyers will in fact meet with a client with a potential claim free of charge in order to determine if the information provided is adequate for entering into asbestos litigation.
A consultation can place the minds of potential and actual victims at ease as they attempt to make decisions about their future. Asbestos litigation is a complex field, and not every average attorney can truly handle the specified laws that relate to asbestos cases.
Just as a victim of road rage would not hire an asbestos lawyer, victims of asbestos exposure should not hire an attorney not equipped to handle the intricate California asbestos laws associated with asbestos exposure in the state of California. It is of course, common sense.
The Facts About Asbestos Exposure
Knowing the facts about asbestos exposure will help you to protect yourself and your loved ones. The U.S. and many other governments have compiled fact sheets and created guidelines and laws for handling and reporting asbestos exposure, as well as strict guidelines for asbestos removal and abatement. Being informed about asbestos and the dangers of asbestos exposure can help you avoid becoming a statistic.
Why Asbestos Exposure is a Problem
The danger of asbestos exposure arises from inhaling and swallowing tiny dust particles and fibers. Those particles are released when asbestos is broken up or disturbed in anyway. Once the asbestos fibers have been inhaled or swallowed, they may lodge in the lining around the lungs, heart or abdominal cavity and go unnoticed for decades.
Eventually, though, they cause scarring and cell changes that can become a malignant cancer known as mesothelioma. Even when mesothelioma does not develop, asbestosis and other asbestos related conditions can cause pain, restricted breathing and other difficulties.
How Asbestos Exposure Happens
There are many ways to be exposed to asbestos, but the most common type of asbestos exposure is occupational, or work related. Asbestos was used in the construction industry, the auto industry, on the railroads and in shipyards and in many factories that made items coated with or woven with asbestos.
When the asbestos was broken, moved, sanded, poured or otherwise manipulated, fine particles and dust was released into the air, where it was inhaled and swallowed. Family and household members of people who worked with asbestos were also often exposed to the dust when it was carried home in clothing and hair.
People who lived in the vicinity of asbestos plants may have been exposed to asbestos in the environment. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, residents who lived near asbestos plants may have been exposed to asbestos by breathing the air within a few blocks of the plant, playing in waste piles of rock near the factories and moving or handling waste rock from processing plants.
In addition, there is a significant risk of exposure to asbestos in some older buildings where asbestos laced materials were used in construction. These materials are safe as long as they are covered and/or in good condition. However, asbestos may be disturbed during renovations, demolition or when flooring, ceilings and walls become damaged.
How to Protect Yourself from Asbestos Exposure
Although the use of asbestos in new products is now heavily regulated, there are still ways that you might be exposed to asbestos. If your home was built before 1978, for instance, it likely contains many materials that were made with asbestos.
Most of these materials only become a concern when they are disturbed or start to decay. Asbestos exposure can become a significant risk if you are renovating or dealing with the aftermath of a flood, fire or other event that damaged your home. If you're not certain about materials in your home that may contain asbestos, it's best to contact your local town offices or health department to find out about having your home evaluated for asbestos and what sort of asbestos abatement regulations apply in your area.
What You Can Do If You Believe You Were Exposed to Asbestos
Mesothelioma affects thousands of people every year. Because its earliest effects are often mistaken for the symptoms of a cold, virus or flu, it's often not diagnosed until it has progressed beyond the treatable stage.
For that reason, anyone who worked or works in a job with a high risk of asbestos exposure should have regular medical checkups that include lung x-rays, and be especially watchful for respiratory ailments which may be the earliest symptoms of mesothelioma.
In addition, when asbestos exposure combines with smoking, your risk of developing lung cancer increases astronomically. If you were exposed to asbestos in the past and you smoke, quitting now can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.
Why Asbestos Exposure is a Legal Issue
Asbestos was one of the most widely used industrial minerals through the early to mid 1970s. The companies that mined, distributed and used asbestos were very aware of the danger that asbestos posed to their workers.
Instead of warning them and providing for safer handling, the industry deliberately hid those dangers from the public, their workers and the government. In doing so, they callously exposed hundreds of thousands of workers and their families to a deadly carcinogen.
Because these companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos and did nothing to warn or protect their workers intentionally, they may be legally liable for compensating people who became ill because of asbestos and their families.
If you believe that you or a family member became ill because of asbestos exposure, a law firm experienced in handling asbestos-related cases can evaluate your claim and help you get the compensation you deserve for your loss.
California Asbestos Lawyers Representing Thousands
Asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits are on the rise once again in California. Thankfully, there are top notch, eager asbestos lawyers ready to handle the workload as mesothelioma victims are coming by the thousands in search of their day in court. Mesothelioma lawsuits are now one of the fastest growing medically based lawsuits bracket in California, a perfectly preventable tragedy.
California asbestos laws have attempted to make mesothelioma lawsuits harder to file, but the evidence can not be swept under the rug and asbestos lawyers are proving time and again that the American dream was flushed down the hall of hopes with big business taking callous and careless attitudes toward the dutiful employees that made them wealthy.
California asbestos laws can't hide the negligence, and asbestos lawyers are fighting on behalf of victims and their families to prove this. Asbestos litigation is nothing new. The first filing of a mesothelioma lawsuit dates all the way back to the 1930's. It would have made sense for big business to have addressed their asbestos problems by now, or perhaps it is way past time for tougher California asbestos laws for asbestos neglect by businesses and corporations.
With the history of mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos litigation, it would have made sense for California asbestos laws to require more stringent bans on the use of asbestos and higher standards for company policies involving employee protection. However, asbestos is still in use today, granted in smaller amounts, but still at high enough concentrations to cause more mesothelioma lawsuits in the future.
If California asbestos laws would impose a ban on asbestos and require asbestos removal, the health of California employees would simply no longer be at risk. It's just logical.
Asbestos litigation and asbestos lawyers are hard at work presenting this logical thought process to juries throughout the state. Jury awards in asbestos litigation tends to run very high, as asbestos lawyers have been able to impress upon juries how simple and cost effective it would have been for companies with asbestos exposure problems to protect their employees.
Juries, who are typically average hardworking individuals themselves, understand the insanity of being in a situation that requires a mesothelioma lawsuit, and often have had enough of big business practices which do not consider employee health or well being.
Thus businesses that are guilty of asbestos exposure are likely to run into numerous mesothelioma lawsuits in the near future. Mesothelioma lawsuits are the only voice that a mesothelioma victim has against the company that negligently contributed to their illness and asbestos lawyers are their very necessary mouthpiece.
Asbestos lawyers have sent eh detrimental nature of mesothelioma, and are fighting diligently both in the courtrooms of California as well as in the California legislature to hopefully amend California asbestos laws to work more in favor of harsher discipline for violators of asbestos safety requirements, as well as to tighten the belt of requirements as soon as possible.
While asbestos is a fire retardant, there are now newer and safer materials that can do the job of asbestos, although granted not as cheaply. California asbestos laws are too lenient on the use of asbestos as well as violators of current California asbestos laws. It takes a very good asbestos lawyer to fight this battle in full flair, but the necessity of the fight can no longer be denied.
Mesothelioma victims who file mesothelioma lawsuits do so in order to protect their family's financial future, to help offset the astronomical costs of mesothelioma treatments, and to heighten awareness of asbestos related illness and their ability to be prevented.
It is senseless that a lifetime of service to a company and a dedication that employees have shown end up in a courtroom fighting a mesothelioma lawsuit, and in a hospital room fighting a mesothelioma prognosis.
Every human being has the right as a human to be treated with respect of health and well being. There truly is no excuse for asbestos exposure in our age of technological advancements and our ability to produce safer and more effective fire resistant materials.
Perhaps it will take more than a few dedicated asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos litigation to drive these points home and change California asbestos laws, but it the place we have to start. With the dedicated expertise and the heart of the victims, California asbestos laws are bound to face changes one day.
Unfortunately for the thousands in California alone who are already affected by mesothelioma and asbestos related disease, someday did not come soon enough.
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