Tomorrow marks the start of March– women’s history month. This month is to honor women in society. Women are often ignored or considered second when it comes to advancements in science, business, technology, and medicine. With diseases that more stereotypically affect men, A common misconception can be that only men are affected by mesothelioma, when women also fall victim to mesothelioma as well which can often be due to secondhand exposure or using talc products.
How Women Get Secondhand Exposure to Asbestos
When people working with asbestos come home from their contaminated job sites, the asbestos could be caked onto their skin and clothing. When women washed their clothes or otherwise interacted with the contaminated material, they came in contact with asbestos. Although the dangers of asbestos were known, manufacturers and employers continued to use expose their employees to it. Although men account for most mesothelioma cases, women make up 25% of diagnoses in the United States.
Women can also develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseased by using contaminated talc products. Since talc and asbestos are mined closely to each other, they may become mixed. It is difficult to identify contaminated talc because they look the same as well. Talc is used in many feminine products, such as makeup, baby powder, deodorants, and other common products.
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How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and sharp. When they’re breathed in, they can become lodged in organ lining and eventually develop into mesothelioma, asbestos, lung cancer, pleural plaques, or another disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease include:
- Chronic cough
- Fatigue and unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fluid in the lugs
- Loss of appetite
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect you have been exposed to asbestos, see a health care professional as soon as possible for an evaluation.
Mesothelioma can affect the lungs, heart, and abdomen for women. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose due to its rarity and how long it takes to start to develop symptoms. The sooner mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases are diagnosed, the better the outcome is for treatment.
If you decide to seek legal action following a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is important to file a claim right away. Each state has a statute of limitations that puts a deadline on the amount of time you have to file a claim. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is 2 years. The Halpern Law Firm has offices all over the state of Pennsylvania to reach you. The experienced team is knowledgeable on known asbestos sites in the state and knows many employers that have exposed their employees to asbestos. For a free consultation, call (800) 505-6000, fill out this contact form, or speak with a legal representative 24/7 in the bottom let of your screen.
