Ever since the late 19th century, asbestos was used in many industries and in many products and it is a natural occurring mineral composed of small, strong fibers in the U.S. At the time, the risks of asbestos exposure were unknown. But it is now well-documented that heavy or long-term exposure to asbestos raises the risk of a number of deadly cancers, including:
Mesothelioma – This is an extremely rare cancer, though the number of diagnoses has increased in recent years. It is almost entirely connected to asbestos exposure and is diagnosed in about 2,000 individuals in the U.S. each year.
There are three types of mesothelioma, classified according to where the cancer originates. An asbestos cancer that is common is pleural mesothelioma; it begins in the protective membrane that surrounds the lungs (pleura) and may spread. Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma are not as common and the lining around the abdominal cavity and the heart are affected.
Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma usually have a poor prognosis since the illness is typically not detected until it is in later stages. Reason being, mesothelioma symptoms do not normally appear until 20 to 50 years since being exposed to asbestos.
Lung Cancer – Lung cancer is more common than mesothelioma, but there are also many more environmental factors that increase the risk of this deadly disease. Asbestos exposure is one such factor that is known to cause both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
Laryngeal Cancer – Asbestos exposure is also linked to cancer of the larynx, or voice box. Laryngeal cancer symptoms include sore throat, hoarseness and pain in the ear, and the prognosis depends on the stage of the cancer at that time.
Kidney Cancer – Many studies have linked exposure to asbestos to an increased risk of kidney cancer. More research suggest a connection between asbestos and other cancers like colon cancer, intestinal cancer, esophageal cancer and cancer of the gallbladder.
Who is at Risk for Asbestos Cancer?
Prolonged or heavy exposure to asbestos most frequently occurs in certain workplace environments. Some occupations where the risk of asbestos exposure is greatest include:
Construction and demolition
Shipbuilding and shipyard work
Drywall installation and removal
Automotive brake repair
Firefighting
The reason asbestos exposure is so dangerous is that when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, the fibers may become airborne and individuals may unknowingly inhale them. These fibers are microscopic and can become lodged in the lungs or other tissues and organs, the development of cancer and other non-cancerous conditions can result like asbestosis (a chronic lung ailment).
Though not all instances of asbestos exposure are preventable, many cases are and employers have a responsibility to try to reduce the risk of exposure and teach their employees preventative measures. If you have developed cancer because of exposure to asbestos, you may have a right to compensation. Contact an experienced attorney today for a free claim evaluation and learn more about your legal rights.