Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of the internal organs of your body. About 2,500 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year according to the American Cancer Society.

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. People who work or have worked around asbestos have the greatest chance of developing this deadly form cancer.

Asbestos was once called the “miracle fiber” of the 20^th century and made its way into thousands of household and industrial products during this time. See Uses of Asbestos.

Asbestos fibers are extremely strong and heat resistant, making them a very popular ingredient for a wide variety of applications. Asbestos was used to make insulation, brakes, cement, flooring, shingles, and countless other products over the past decades.

When asbestos is broken into smaller pieces, possible through the mining process or simply working with material like asbestos insulation, dust is often produced. When inhaled these asbestos fibers may settle in the lungs or stomach, where they may eventually lead to the development of Mesothelioma.

It is believed that those who were exposed to higher levels of asbestos and asbestos dust have much greater risk of developing mesothelioma; however, this is not always the case. There have been numerous cases in which individuals that were exposed to high levels of asbestos over extended periods of time did not develop mesothelioma.