Football Star Dies Of Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Merlin Olsen, Hall of Fame football player, actor and broadcaster has passed away after a short battle with mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of lung cancer. He was 69.

Olsen was a member of the "Fearsome Foursome" of the Los Angeles Rams, and was selected to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, a tie with Bruce Matthews for the longest streak in league history. In 1992, Olsen was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

As his football career ended, Olsen became an actor, with appearances on shows like "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy" as well as acting as a spokesman for FTD Group Inc.'s flower commercials. Furthermore, he was an avid college football commentator - Olsen was the voice of college football's Rose Bowl from 1980 until 1988.

Olsen began chemotherapy after his initial diagnosis in 2009. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that manifests after exposure to asbestos, and often attacks the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Although rare, mesothelioma patients often have a grim prognosis.

Mesothelioma can take upwards of 30 to 40 years to manifest, which makes it difficult to ascertain when the initial exposure occur. The World Health Organization has identified asbestos as a dangerous carcinogen, in which there are no safe levels of exposure. Although activists and organizations such as Ban Asbestos are currently seeking a worldwide ban of asbestos in all capacities, asbestos is still used in construction in developing countries and may be found in quantities of less than 1 percent in certain products sold in the United States.

Olsen claims he was exposed to asbestos as young as 10 or 11 years old in a mesothelioma lawsuit he filed in 2010. He also stated he may have been exposed while working in the construction industry while in high school and college. Olsen's lawsuit states the manufacturers didn't warn workers about the potentially dangerous side effects of breathing asbestos fibers.

Due to the hazardous nature of the fibrous substance, a licensed contractor is required by law in the United States to remove asbestos. The time-consuming process is a safety precaution to ensure protection of individuals. Because asbestos was a common construction fiber, many older buildings may be contaminated, unbeknownst to its occupants.

Olsen's fame has brought the threat of mesothelioma into the media spotlight, as many individuals may be unknowingly exposed. Contact your local health department if you suspect asbestos contamination, but do not try to remove material.