




Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening and overwhelming, but the Mesothelioma Association can help guide you and your loved ones to the resources that you need. It’s critical that mesothelioma patients are diagnosed early and properly and then begin a treatment plan with a qualified specialist. We can provide you with the accurate information and connections that will assist you in making these first decisions.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, you may have mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the first indications of this cancer usually do not appear for at least 30 years after the exposure.
The symptoms for pleural mesolthelioma, the most common form, include fever, difficulty swallowing, pleural effusion (fluid in the chest cavity), cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness and weight loss. These symptoms are often mistaken for common illnesses, such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, because of their similarity.
A less common form is peritoneal mesothelioma, which attacks the lining surrounding the abdomen. Symptoms include digestive disturbances, bowel obstruction, elevated white blood count, ascites (fluid in the abdomen), loss of appetite, weakness, anemia and abdominal pain.
Pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare cancer that affects the heart's serous lining. People who suffer from this disease usually have heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, severe chest pain, fluid retention in the legs, difficulty breathing, night sweats, low blood pressure and fatigue.
If you have any of these symptoms and worked in a profession where you may have been exposed to asbestos -- engineers, pipefitters, steel workers, auto mechanics, miners, ship builders and even military professionals – let us help you get started.
