Cancers Associated With Exposure to Asbestos

Many decades before, asbestos is considered as a miracle mineral and it is used in about 3,000 industries and products in the United States. Asbestos is a highly-fibrous mineral composed of long, durable, and flexible fibers. It is also resistant to heat and chemical damage.

Whole and intact asbestos is not harmful; but the asbestos fibers are tough and very tiny. They are not seen by the naked eye so they can be inhaled or ingested without notice. Individuals are more likely to get heavy asbestos exposure in the work place while performing high-risk and asbestos-related jobs.

Asbestos Causes Many Types of Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, which is almost exclusively linked to heavy asbestos exposure, but about 2,000 new cases are diagnosed in the US every year

Three types of the disease include: pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdominal cavity), and pericardial (heart).

The prognosis is poor because condition is often diagnosed in the advanced stages; mainly because symptoms are typically late to appear. There is no cure but different treatment options are available.

Lung Cancer is not exclusively caused by asbestos. Other environmental factors (like cigarette smoke, pollution, and many more) are involved but asbestos exposure can hasten the development of the disease. However, there is some evidence that linked asbestos exposure to small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer.

Laryngeal Cancer Medical cases have exposed that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer of the larynx or voice box. Symptoms may include: hoarse voice, sore throat, and pain/swelling in the ears. Prognosis largely depends on the stage and spread of the cancer.

Other cancerous illnesses include: colon, intestinal, esophageal, and gallbladder.

Where Does Frequent Exposure to Asbestos Occur?

Some occupations inevitably expose individuals to high levels of asbestos and these include: construction and building work, demolition jobs, shipbuilding and shipyard, drywall installation and removal, auto brake repair, and firefighting and fireproofing. Patients who have jobs connected with asbestos in the past typically show signs of illness after two to five decades.

If you need information on the types of cancers associated with asbestos, look for the articles and videos on mesothelioma on the New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog.