Asbestos Cancer - Overview
Over the course of the past century, millions of innocent people have been exposed to asbestos, a class of fibrous minerals known to cause a variety of cancers.
Once asbestos is inhaled it can lodge itself within the body's organs causing cells to mutate and become cancerous.
Often referred to as "asbestos cancer," mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Other deadly forms of cancer are also caused by exposure to asbestos, such as lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and colorectal cancer, just to name a few.
For many decades asbestos was considered an acceptable source of insulation, and thousands of materials made from asbestos were widely applied in industrial and domestic settings.
Asbestos was found in countless products on the commercial market, in many factories, homes and public structures, and in a myriad of industries, such as railway production, shipbuilding, and energy production.
For information about at-risk workplaces and products, please see Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Products Containing Asbestos.
Of the millions of people who have been exposed to asbestos in the United States alone, thousands have developed life-threatening illnesses, many of which are aggressive cancers. Each year, approximately 10,000 Americans die from diseases caused by exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma cancer specifically targets the body's mesothelial cells.
The most common form of cancer caused by asbestos is mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is very rarely cured. The only proven cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
An estimated 20 to 30 percent of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have no knowledge of prior exposure to asbestos. But the prior popularity of asbestos as a building material may shed some light on a person's ability to identify the source of their exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma typically attacks the thin membranous lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, known as the mesothelium. It is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are reported each year. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically arise 20 to 50 years after exposure, which makes it difficult to diagnose the countless cases lying dormant across the country. For more information about mesothelioma, please see Mesothelioma Overview.
Lung Cancer
Aside from mesothelioma, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure.
Another dangerous cancer caused by asbestos exposure is lung cancer, of which there are two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The latter is the most common type, accounting for nearly 80 percent of known cases. The identification of lung cancer is determined by the appearance of cancer cells under a microscope from a tissue sample.
Symptoms of lung cancer include coughing and chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, a change in sputum volume or color, or the presence of blood in sputum. Other symptoms may occur elsewhere in the body, such as weight loss, tiredness, and headaches. As with the development of mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos, lung cancer symptoms appear many years after initial exposure to the hazardous mineral. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing any symptoms of lung cancer should seek the advice of a medical physician.
Other Associated Cancers
Though the aforementioned types of cancer may be those most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, the presence of asbestos fibers in the body can cause a number of other, very serious and life-threatening cancers, such as gastrointestinal cancer and colorectal cancer. Please see Gastrointestinal Cancer and Colorectal Cancer for information about these diseases. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos exposure can also increase one's risk of developing kidney, throat, esophagus, and gallbladder cancer.
Associated Risk Factors
As with exposure to many carcinogens, the risk of developing cancer is influenced by a number of factors relating to exposure. First, the amount of asbestos to which a person is exposed is an important factor. Evidence shows the likelihood of developing serious asbestos-related disease compounds as the number of asbestos fibers in the body increase.
Relative Risk of Dying of Lung Cancer for Smoking and Non-Smoking Asbestos Workers.
Additionally, the duration of exposure may also play a part in the risk of developing cancer.
The risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease increases if the person experienced extended exposure. In addition, different types of asbestos bear varying degrees of risk, as do personal lifestyles, when determining one's risk of developing cancer.
As with many other illnesses, those who smoke or have a preexisting disease have a higher risk of developing cancers caused by asbestos.For instance, people who have developed non-malignant, pleural lung diseases as result of exposure to asbestos have a greater risk for developing lung cancer.
The Next Step
Those who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos at any time should consult a physician for a medical examination. Cancers caused by asbestos exposure may present symptoms many years or even decades after initial exposure, by which time it may be too late to seek curative treatments. In addition to contacting a medical professional, the advice of an asbestos lawyer should also be sought for those who have been exposed to asbestos.
To learn more about the cancers caused by asbestos exposure, please fill out the form on this page to receive a comprehensive information packet. The resources at The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Awareness Center also offer referrals for some of the most experienced mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in the country. For more information, please call 1-800-ASBESTOS (1-800-272-3786).
Sources:
1. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos
2. http://www.lungcancer.org/reading/types.php
3. http://www.lungcancer.org/reading/symptoms.php
Friday, October 31, 2008
What is Asbestos Cancer?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was found to have significant fire and heat resistant qualities by the early Greeks. They were also aware of the “sickness of the lungs” developed by the slaves responsible for weaving the silky material into cloth. Unfortunately, its long-term effects would become devastating.
The use of asbestos continued through the centuries but became most popular during the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s. At the turn of the twentieth century, reports indicate that researchers were seeing a high rate of death from lung disease among asbestos miners. Still, asbestos use continued in everything from building insulation to automotive brake shoes and more.
More recently, stricter laws and guidelines regarding the use and removal of asbestos have been instigated but for millions of Americans already exposed to this potentially deadly mineral, the damage may have already been done.
The most common forms of asbestos disease include the following:
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The fine asbestos fiber particles travel easily on the air and, when inhaled, can penetrate the body’s tissue not unlike fiber glass sticking your hand. In this case, the fibers enter the lungs causing irritation and inflammation. Over time, this can lead to the development of scar tissue in the small narrow spaces around the airways. The scar tissue can reduce the body’s ability to allow oxygen and carbon monoxide to travel properly through the lungs, thus breathing becomes more difficult. While asbestosis is not a form of cancer, it is a type of lung disease and is only associated with long-term exposure to asbestos.
Lung Cancer
Not all forms of lung cancer are asbestos-related. It is common for people in the early stages of asbestos lung cancer not to show any symptoms. Symptoms to watch for include a persistent cough, hoarseness, chest pain, weight loss and bloody phlegm. Should your doctor suspect asbestos lung cancer, he will need to conduct other tests to confirm his diagnosis before proceeding. It is possible, if detected early enough, for patients to survive asbestos lung cancer provided the treatment is in time.
Mesothelioma
Malignant, or cancerous, mesothelioma is the most common, yet rare, type of asbestos cancer. Generally, it affects the lungs, but can also form in the abdominal area. Frequently, mesothelioma will involve severe respiratory problems. While it does affect the lungs, however, mesothelioma is not the same thing as lung cancer. Treatment for mesothelioma can range from surgery to chemotherapy to radiation treatments or a combination thereof. Mesothelioma symptoms, as with any of the asbestos-related cancers, can take decades to appear. Generally, the outlook isn’t a positive one but can depend on how early the cancer is detected and how aggressively it is treated.
While asbestos is still manufactured and used today, the guidelines surrounding those areas are much more stringent and now include such things as upgraded ventilation requirements in plants and full-body protective gear when asbestos removal is required. Since, as previously mentioned, detection of asbestos-related symptoms can take 10, 20, even 40 years to appear, there are potentially hundreds of thousands of Americans that are sick and just don’t know it yet.
By : Patricia Woloch
The use of asbestos continued through the centuries but became most popular during the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s. At the turn of the twentieth century, reports indicate that researchers were seeing a high rate of death from lung disease among asbestos miners. Still, asbestos use continued in everything from building insulation to automotive brake shoes and more.
More recently, stricter laws and guidelines regarding the use and removal of asbestos have been instigated but for millions of Americans already exposed to this potentially deadly mineral, the damage may have already been done.
The most common forms of asbestos disease include the following:
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The fine asbestos fiber particles travel easily on the air and, when inhaled, can penetrate the body’s tissue not unlike fiber glass sticking your hand. In this case, the fibers enter the lungs causing irritation and inflammation. Over time, this can lead to the development of scar tissue in the small narrow spaces around the airways. The scar tissue can reduce the body’s ability to allow oxygen and carbon monoxide to travel properly through the lungs, thus breathing becomes more difficult. While asbestosis is not a form of cancer, it is a type of lung disease and is only associated with long-term exposure to asbestos.
Lung Cancer
Not all forms of lung cancer are asbestos-related. It is common for people in the early stages of asbestos lung cancer not to show any symptoms. Symptoms to watch for include a persistent cough, hoarseness, chest pain, weight loss and bloody phlegm. Should your doctor suspect asbestos lung cancer, he will need to conduct other tests to confirm his diagnosis before proceeding. It is possible, if detected early enough, for patients to survive asbestos lung cancer provided the treatment is in time.
Mesothelioma
Malignant, or cancerous, mesothelioma is the most common, yet rare, type of asbestos cancer. Generally, it affects the lungs, but can also form in the abdominal area. Frequently, mesothelioma will involve severe respiratory problems. While it does affect the lungs, however, mesothelioma is not the same thing as lung cancer. Treatment for mesothelioma can range from surgery to chemotherapy to radiation treatments or a combination thereof. Mesothelioma symptoms, as with any of the asbestos-related cancers, can take decades to appear. Generally, the outlook isn’t a positive one but can depend on how early the cancer is detected and how aggressively it is treated.
While asbestos is still manufactured and used today, the guidelines surrounding those areas are much more stringent and now include such things as upgraded ventilation requirements in plants and full-body protective gear when asbestos removal is required. Since, as previously mentioned, detection of asbestos-related symptoms can take 10, 20, even 40 years to appear, there are potentially hundreds of thousands of Americans that are sick and just don’t know it yet.
By : Patricia Woloch
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)