https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMQ5weyT2IM Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of breathing in or eating asbestos fibers. These fibers penetrate the chest cavity's lining or abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum and pleura. The exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. Even though the risk seems to decrease after 40 years of exposure, asbestos exposure of any kind can be dangerous. Age The older the person is when exposed, the higher the chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue around the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, which means they expand beyond control and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma usually affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be through their work or by being a close family member. Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma because it irritates the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs' linings, but it can also affect the linings of the abdomen, peritoneum and the heart lining. Asbestos is a non-porous and long-lasting mineral. It was utilized for construction, insulation, and for other industrial uses up to the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos because of their work or by being around someone who was exposed to asbestos. When asbestos is disturbed it releases fibers into air. They can be breathed in, and they are too tough for the body to break down or process. The fibers can cause irritation and even cancer in the lungs if they become stuck. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not show up until decades after asbestos exposure. are similar to those of other types of cancer but they can also be fatal if left untreated. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and