Test and diagnosis
How is pleural mesothelioma diagnosed?
Before considering the possibility of pleural mesothelioma, your doctor
asked about your health and you looked. It is possible that we have suspected
the presence of a pleural mesothelioma at a routine chest X-ray or as part of a
screening program for workers of asbestos.
It usually perform a number of special tests to confirm a diagnosis of
pleural mesothelioma. Here are a few:
Imaging techniques
Tests (radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance
imaging [MRI] and bone scan) for performing a thorough examination of organs,
tissues and bones. These examinations can cause discomfort, but they are not
usually painful.
Biopsy
Intervention usually necessary to make a definite diagnosis of cancer. It
involves removing cells or tissues in the body for examination under a
microscope. If the cells are cancerous, they will then see how fast they grow.
These examinations can cause discomfort, but they are not usually painful.
The following interventions can be used to confirm a diagnosis of pleural
mesothelioma:
Pleuroscopy: Also known as endoscopy: visual inspection of the inside of the
chest with a thin, flexible tube with a magnifying glass. In some cases, this
procedure can take pictures in addition to performing a biopsy. The pleuroscopy
is usually performed under light anesthesia and may require a small incision on
the chest wall.
Thoracotomy: partial or total removal of a tumor through an incision on the
chest, this procedure, performed under general anesthesia, may also be used to
remove tissues and lymph nodes near the tumor for examination.
What should I also know of pleural mesothelioma?
Your doctor will recommend periodic visits to assess your overall health,
but feel free to make an appointment immediately if you notice any unusual or
disturbing signs.
In some provinces, compensation programs or special services have been
established to help workers (and their families) diagnosed with pleural
mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. Ask your doctor to give you more
details about these programs or check with the agency responsible for managing
the insurance against accidents at work or compensation for workers affected by
occupational diseases in your province.
Prevention
Reduce your risk of cancer
Reduce their risk of developing cancer is to take concrete action to prevent
the onset of the disease. Your lifestyle as well as your living environment or
work may have a positive or negative effect on the risk. Note, however, that
even someone as "low risk" may eventually get cancer, just as a
person "high risk" will never be reached.
Low risk does not mean that you will never cancer, but it is unlikely that
you will be met. High risk means that the probability of developing cancer are
greater but not absolute.
Cancer is not attributable to a single cause, but some factors increase the
risk that a person is reached. This is what is called risk factors. Some risk
factors are impossible to change, for example:
- age;
- family history of cancer
(heredity).
Some risk factors are associated with daily habits you can change. For
example, you can make the following choices:
- Do not smoke and avoid
tobacco smoke;
- Adopt a healthy diet;
- Make physical activity every
day;
- Maintaining a healthy weight;
- Limit your alcohol intake;
- Reduce your exposure to
ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial tanning devices,
such as tanning beds;
- Know your body and report any
changes to your doctor or dentist;
- Follow the rules of health
and safety when using hazardous products at home or at work.
Occupation at risk:
Plumbers, welders, pipefitters
Workers in the construction of iron or steel (carpenters, shipbuilding and rail
car)
Sheet metal workers, boilermakers, auto mechanics and truck
Electricians
Construction workers in general
DIYers "madmen"
Employment in the manufacture of asbestos (asbestos cement, asbestos textile
industry until 1996 with activity of carding, spinning or weaving)
Employment in the insulation (thermal or sound) in the manufacture of
electrical insulators in power stations, refineries
Auto repair and other vehicles (brakes and clutch)
Assemblers in ventilation / heating / cooling, boiler installer
Steel industry (blast furnaces, coke ovens, steel mills)
Glass Industry
Dockers
Etc.. ...
(source- http://www.servicevie.com)