If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos, you may be worried about developing mesothelioma. This is an aggressive type of cancer that often results in fatalities. Typically, it develops in the abdomen or chest cavity, in or around the lungs.
One of the challenges with mesothelioma is its latency period. Many people are exposed but don’t experience symptoms or even develop the disease for decades. For instance, someone working in a shipyard might be exposed to asbestos in their 30s but not develop mesothelioma until their 70s. This extended latency period is longer than that of many other diseases.
As such, you may be wondering if there are any early signs or symptoms to watch for.
Early signs are minimal
Unfortunately, medical experts note that early symptoms tend to be very minimal. People often don’t realize they have mesothelioma when it first develops. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may appear and can include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- A persistent cough
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Swelling, especially in the abdomen
- Stomach pain
- A hoarse voice
- Changes to fingers or fingernails
Often, people may experience mild discomfort and feel fatigued or unwell. Someone with peritoneal mesothelioma may believe they have an ulcer, as it is located in the abdomen. Someone with pleural mesothelioma may have a long-term cough and assume they simply have a lingering illness.
Once it becomes clear that mesothelioma is the issue, however, the disease may already be fairly advanced. Those who are suffering from it need to understand the legal options available to them.
