Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that develops in the thin layer that covers internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and stomach, is primarily associated with asbestos. People exposed to asbestos at work or those who live with them (secondary exposure) make up a significant percentage of people who develop the disease.
However, some people fall into these groups, yet they don’t get mesothelioma. How is this possible? Here is how this can happen:
Mutated BAP-1
BAP1 is a tumor suppressor gene, which means it inhibits tumor development – it controls cells from growing uncontrollably. When this gene is mutated, it loses its function. This increases the chances of someone developing cancer. Therefore, individuals with a mutated BAP1 are more likely to develop mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos than those with a well-function gene.
Note that BAP1 mutation can be inherited.
Other risk factors
In addition to a particular group not developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, some groups report a higher number of infections than others. This is due to different factors including:
- Gender – Mesothelioma is more common in men than women, as they are more likely to be in high-risk occupations.
- Age – Mesothelioma has a lengthy latency period. It can take 20 to 60 years for someone to show symptoms of the disease. For this reason, mesothelioma is mostly diagnosed in older people. And, although rare, mesothelioma can be diagnosed in younger people and even children.
- Radiation – Research shows that people who have previously received radiation therapy for other cancer types are at high risk of developing mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos.
If you develop mesothelioma in a setting where others don’t, you should still get legal guidance to protect your rights.
