Tragic new findings have been revealed by a team of United States and Italian researchers regarding cancer and asbestos. After reviewing a multitude of studies on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, researchers concluded that risk of cancer does not go down after exposure to asbestos is stopped.

Asbestos in a fibrous mineral that was widely used for insulation and in the manufacturing of certain products. Practically indestructible, the mineral was used across a multitude of building materials including old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles and flashing, siding, and insulation. After being so widely used, mesothelioma (cancer of the lung) cases began cropping up across the US. Inhalation of these dangerous fibers was what ultimately caused this cancer to spread across the country, affecting everyone from workers to children in their own homes.

Some cancers have a lowered risk of contracting them after exposure to the carcinogen is stopped. Researchers of mesothelioma found that this is sadly not the case in regards to people exposed to asbestos, and that if you have been exposed to asbestos any time in your life, you will continue to have an extremely high chance of contracting mesothelioma.

Researchers believe that this is because of the structure of the asbestos fibers themselves. Due to the fact that asbestos fibers are long, microscopic, and thin, they easily lodge themselves within the lung when they are inhaled. This means that the asbestos fibers could possibly be lodged in the lung for an indefinite amount of time.

As the risk of mesothelioma does not decrease after exposure has stopped, and mesothelioma tends to develop at an old age, it is incredibly important for at risk elders to get tested for mesothelioma.