Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicon based minerals which have been combined over time to exploit their various valuable characteristics. The material is made up of thin, fibrous, heat resistant crystals, which are resistant to chemicals and have immense strength and flexibility.

The resulting material, asbestos, is hazardous as inhalation of the fibres can cause serious health issues, including Asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma, conditions which usually develop between twenty and fifty years after an individual has been exposed.

Those who come into contact with asbestos fibre because of their job are most at risk from asbestos related diseases, and the second most common group at risk are those who live with workers who are exposed to asbestos in their job, and experts suggest around 80% of those suffering from asbestos related illnesses have developed them as a direct result of occupational or para-occupational exposure.

The other people who are at risk, are at risk because of the geography of where they live. So those who live near sites such as power plants, refineries, factories, shipyards or building demolition, which are likely to have asbestos within the facility, are also at risk of asbestos related disease. This is due to the release of asbestos fibres which then contaminates the surrounding air.

It goes without saying that one of the highest risk industries is asbestos product manufacturing, but industries which are high risk include automotive repair, due to the use of asbestos in brakes and clutches, oil refineries, construction, railroads, steel mills, shipyards and power plants.

This is not a definitive guide to all those who may be susceptible to contracting asbestos related diseases, but if you have worked in any of these industries in the past then it is recommended you get tested for mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses sooner rather than later, as there is a high chance your exposure will lead to illness.

Oliver & Co have helped thousands of clients claim for asbestosis , mesothelioma and pleural thickening. Their site can help if you want to know more about lexposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer; occurring in the mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of most of our internal body organs, which gives the disease its name. Mesothelioma most often occurs in the tissues covering the lungs and is often a direct result of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos related cancer is not usually diagnosed until 20-50 years after the exposure and in recent years there has been moves towards discovering alternative treatments in order to eradicate the disease from sufferers’ bodies.

Many of the treatments are still in research and testing stages, but a number of sufferers are willing to take the risk and undergo treatment.

Vitamin C was trialled as a cure at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Scotland and was reported to have ‘excellent results’. A chief surgeon administered relatively high doses to cancer patients in this study, although in other studies no efficacy has been reported.

Iscador, a natural remedy, is the trading name of Viscum album, a particular species of mistletoe, , which has been said to reduce the effects of cancer. Very few experts suggest Viscum album reduces tumour size, but stimulation of the immune system, an improved in general health well being, and a reversion of cancerous cells into less damaging forms are some of its benefits.

Astragulus is another plant based remedy, which is a native Chinese plant which has been studied as a remedy in China. One such study concluded that if chemotherapy was combined with injections of Astragulus then the development of tumours could be inhibited and the function of the immune system could be improved.

None of the alternative therapies mentioned have been fully endorsed yet, but the fact we have made these discoveries and advancements into new ways of treating and reducing the effects of asbestos cancer suggests that researchers and doctors are getting close to finding ways of increasing life expectancy in patients, or even producing a cure.

Oliver & Co are a asbestos law solicitors practice who specialise in claims relating to asbestos. So their site can help if you want to know more about making a successfulasbestos claim.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs on the outer surface of the lungs, and is most common in those who have been exposed to asbestos, although does occur in those who have never been exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the cells surrounding the organs, called the mesothelial cells and there are 3 types of cancerous mesothelial cells, Epitheliod, Sacromatoid and Biphasic, and Mesothelioma patients can have one or more of these types of cell present.

Epitheliod cells are the most common cancer cells of the three and account for between fifty and seventy percent of cells in malignant mesothelioma. This type of cell has a cubed shaped appearance and as a group they are arranged in a tubular, uniform arrangement.

Epitheliod cells are often mistaken for adenocarinoma cells, as they are similar in appearance, although if the two cells are looked at closely through a strong microscope then they can be distinguished from each other.

Biphasic Mesothelioma cells are less common than epitheliod, but are not the least common type. They make up twenty to forty percent of mesothelioma cancer cells and are created as a combination between the other types of cell. The biphasic cells usually occur when the epitheliod and sacromatoid cells combine continuously through a tumour.

The final type of cell, sacromatoid mesothelioma cells, are the least common of the three types and they account for between ten and fifteen percent of mesothelioma cells. Most frequently these cells have an irregular oval shape with a hidden nucleus, which makes them difficult to distinguish from the more common sarcoma cells.

Whether only one cell type is present or a combination of more, the methods of treatment are very similar. There are traditional methods such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, and recently there has been further research in to less traditional methods, with a many suggesting these types of treatment will have more success.

Oliver & Co are a Chester solicitor who specialise in claims relating to asbestos. So their site can help if you want to know more about making a mesothelioma claim.