Asbestos Exposure Linked to Numerous Types of Cancer

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that has been used in products such as roofing materials, patching and spackling compound, brake pads and lining, cements, toasters and other heat-related household items, floor tiles, and furnaces and furnace doors. People exposed to asbestos either directly or indirectly possess an increased risk of several types of cancer.

Mesothelioma

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, most instances of mesothelioma are related to asbestos exposure. When asbestos-containing dust is inhaled, the asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lining surrounding the body's organs, the mesothelium, increasing one's risk of developing mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer. Initial symptoms may include chest pain, violent coughing and fatigue. If you have been exposed to asbestos, undergoing regular screenings to identify mesothelioma is important, as early detection can improve one's prognosis. An aggressive mesothelioma lawyer can help asbestos victims diagnosed with mesothelioma recover compensation for their injury and illness.

Lung Cancer

Exposure to asbestos significantly increases one's risk of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. Mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer can appear many years after one's exposure to asbestos, so routine screenings following asbestos exposure are important. Symptoms of lung cancer may include coughing and chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, change in sputum volume or color, presence of blood in sputum, weight loss, tiredness or headaches. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer and asbestos exposure may have been the cause, an experienced asbestos attorney can evaluate your case.

Throat Cancer

In 2006, a government panel in the United States added cancer of the larynx, a type of throat cancer, to the list of diseases directly linked to asbestos exposure. Results from 34 studies showed that people exposed to asbestos are 40 percent more likely to suffer from laryngeal cancer, on average, than people with no exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with throat cancer after experiencing first-hand or second-hand asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury and illness.

Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Cancer

Some studies have shown that gastrointestinal cancer and colorectal cancer may be linked to asbestos exposure, though a direct causal relationship has not yet been proven. For patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal or colorectal cancer who were exposed to asbestos prior to their disease, a knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help determine if your illness is actionable.

Kidney, Brain and Bladder Cancer

Although studies exploring a direct link between asbestos and kidney, brain and bladder cancer have been inconclusive, some studies do suggest that asbestos exposure can lead to elevated risk for these non-respiratory types of cancer. If asbestos exposure may have led to your non-respiratory cancer, you could be entitled to compensation under the law.