More than likely, you spent a good deal of your workday toiling away side-by-side with other workers. You performed your job duties in the same manner and suffered exposure to the same asbestos-filled air on a daily basis.
Now that your doctors diagnosed you with mesothelioma, you may wonder why you suffer from this rare and mostly asbestos-related cancer, but others who you work with managed to escape its clutches. Perhaps you are one of the rare individuals that didn’t get mesothelioma from asbestos. If so, what caused it?
Other toxic chemicals and substances that cause mesothelioma
Even though the majority of cases result from toxic exposure to asbestos, exposure to the following may also cause this type of cancer:
- Simian Virus 40
- Erionite
- Radiation therapy
Instances of mesothelioma from these sources occur even more rarely than those that occur from asbestos.
If this cancer is rare, why did I get it?
Since many people exposed to asbestos never contract this cancer, what caused you to suffer from it? Researchers agree that something else must have occurred that increased your chances of receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Scientists want to know why it takes decades for the cancer to develop after exposure and why only certain people get sick while many others do not.
What they do know so far is that the microscopic fibers are needle sharp. When they enter your body, they adhere to your organs and then move into the thin layer of lubricating tissue, referred to as the mesothelial layers of the body. Over time, chronic inflammation occurs that leads to mesothelioma in some people, including you.
Perhaps your immune system is to blame
Your immune system is responsible for clearing foreign materials from your body. If your immune system is compromised, it may not have “cleaned” the asbestos from your body. If you count as one of the rare people who contracted this type of cancer due to Simian Virus 40 or radiation therapy, the immuno-suppressive nature of these causes can lead to mesothelioma.
Regardless of the cause, you have financial needs
More than likely, you contracted mesothelioma through exposure to asbestos while working. Even though the exposure took place decades ago, you may still pursue compensation for your current health issues. Obtaining the financial help you need involves engaging in a complex and time-consuming process. Right now, you likely need to concentrate more on your treatment than on your workers’ compensation issues. It’s a good thing that you can find legal help here in Pennsylvania who can advocate on your behalf.