Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause, so if you know you’ve been exposed to asbestos, or you suspect you have, it’s important to get checked out right away. However, many people are exposed to asbestos without knowing.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of mesothelioma can mimic that of other, less severe conditions, like pneumonia, which makes misdiagnoses common. It’s impossible to self-diagnose, so here are some of the top signs that you should get checked out by a mesothelioma specialist.
1. You feel sick, but nothing is helping
Although there are a wide range of illnesses that don’t respond to certain types of treatment, if you are experiencing typical symptoms of mesothelioma and you’re trying treatments that aren’t working, it could be a sign that you need to seek care from a specialist.
The symptoms typical of mesothelioma include:
- Fluid buildup in the chest, abdomen, or lungs
- Trouble breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Persistent coughing
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
These are just some of the symptoms experienced with mesothelioma. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and you suspect you were exposed to asbestos in the past, that’s a good reason to see a mesothelioma specialist right away. If you make an appointment with your regular doctor, they won’t be able to distinguish your symptoms from something like pneumonia. It’s better to see a specialist who can either diagnose or rule out mesothelioma.
2. You worked long-term in a field with high exposure
Certain professions expose workers to asbestos heavily, like being in the military, working as an auto mechanic, and even doing construction work. However, it takes decades (10-40 years) for mesothelioma to develop.
If you worked in any of the following trades, especially before the 1980s, there’s a good chance you’ve been exposed to asbestos:
- Drywalling
- Bricklayer
- Roofing
- Mining
- Oil refinery work
- Manufacturing construction products
- Carpenter
- Boilermaker
- Electrician
- Shipyard work
- Auto mechanic
- Firefighter
- Power plant work
- Textile mill plant
These are just some of the trades that expose workers to asbestos. If you worked in a position related to these fields in the 1980s through just a decade ago, and you’re starting to experience symptoms of illness that aren’t going away, schedule an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist as soon as possible.
3. Your doctor has dismissed you
If you got a checkup from your doctor and they sent you on your way, but you can’t shake the feeling that something else might be wrong, get in touch with a mesothelioma specialist right now. When you’re experiencing symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, and coughing, that could be a sign of pleural mesothelioma.
However, mesothelioma also affects the heart and stomach. If you’re experiencing strange symptoms in these areas that can’t be explained and your regular doctor has left you hanging, it won’t hurt to see a specialist just to be sure. If you do have mesothelioma, you’ll be able to start treatment much faster.
4. You’re being treated for something and it isn’t working
Self-treatment with over-the-counter remedies aside, if you’ve been formally diagnosed with some kind of illness that shares symptoms with mesothelioma, and your treatment isn’t working, or you’re just getting worse, it could mean a number of things. For example, not all treatments work for everyone. However, if the treatment you’ve been given generally works for others, and your symptoms are not going away, get tested for mesothelioma.
5. Your doctor told you it’s not mesothelioma, but you don’t feel right
While regular doctors mean well, they aren’t trained to identify mesothelioma. Many people go to their general practitioner asking about mesothelioma, only to be told they have pneumonia or another type of cancer instead.
Since regular physicians have limited experience with this condition, it’s possible to be misdiagnosed by a well-meaning doctor, and if you feel like mesothelioma is still a possibility despite being told otherwise, visit a specialist for a second opinion.
Treating mesothelioma is best with early detection
Although it takes decades for symptoms to appear, the earlier you detect mesothelioma, the better. An early diagnosis can improve your prognosis by allowing you to start important treatments sooner.
Treating mesothelioma may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and tumor treating fields. If there’s even a remote chance your symptoms may be the result of asbestos exposure, don’t wait to see a specialist to find out for sure.
