Many people in the Pacific Northwest have heard of the serious cancer called mesothelioma. It is a type of cancer that people who have worked in shipyards, been in the navy, etc. may develop in their lifetime. It is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and those who were regularly exposed to the substance have higher incidences of the cancer.
Mesothelioma is a rare but almost always deadly lung cancer that can take years to develop. Typical latency periods for this cancer can range from 20 to 50 years. There are several reasons why it can take so long to develop. These include:
- Method of exposure: workers who didn’t have as much exposure may have a longer time to develop mesothelioma.
- Occupation: insulators have the shortest latency period followed by dock workers.
- Gender: many studies have shown that women have a longer latency period than men.
- Other conditions: people who also have asbestosis which is a condition marked by scarring in the lungs caused by asbestos have a 5% shorter latency period.
- Type of mesothelioma: those who have mesothelioma in the abdominal cavity have an 8.9 year latency period and those with pleural mesothelioma have a latency period of 22.9 years.
A legal professional who is skilled in cases involving mesothelioma can help a family who is dealing with this difficult diagnosis. They understand that individuals living in the Pacific Northwest with a diagnosis of mesothelioma have symptoms that have compromised their quality of life, leaving them with extreme pain and suffering as well as not being able to work. A solid injury claim can bring relief and just compensation for all they have endured.