Why Do Doctors In Louisiana Have Such A Hard Time Diagnosing Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma is a notoriously difficult disease to diagnose for several reasons.

The problem usually isn’t that your doctor isn’t trying hard enough or isn’t interested in what’s going on with you, but the symptoms of mesothelioma, especially early in its development, often look very much like a number of other common complaints. These can be everything from the normal aches and pains of aging, to seasonal allergies, to reactions your body may be having to prescription medications you’re taking.

Another reason that mesothelioma can be difficult for doctors to diagnose is that it is an extremely rare form of cancer with a single cause, exposure to asbestos.

If your history of workplace exposure to asbestos, or your second hand exposure to asbestos through a loved one’s occupation, didn’t come up, it may never occur to your doctor to keep an eye out for asbestos-related diseases. You have every reason to make sure your family practice doctor is fully informed about your work history and your risk for asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, and to remind them as necessary.

For instance, each year when you have your physical, take the opportunity to remind your doctor that you believe you have a history of asbestos exposure and consider yourself at risk for diseases like mesothelioma.

Your family members who may have experienced second hand exposure to asbestos fibers may also want to create that habit with their doctors.

All in all, while mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because of the relative vagueness of early symptoms and the rarity of the disease itself, those who suspect they may be at risk can do a lot to ensure they get the healthcare they need.

At The Gertler Law Firm, we make sure that families hit by asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma have all the resources they need to fight back. Call us today at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation with a Louisiana mesothelioma attorney.