Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny, durable fibers which have been used in countless industries and products in the United States since the late 19th century. 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. yearly.

There are three types of mesothelioma, classified according to where the cancer originates. Pleural mesothelioma begins in the protective membrane surrounding the lungs (pleura) and spreads from there. Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma are less common and affect the lining around the abdominal cavity and the heart, respectively.

Those diagnosed with mesothelioma usually do not receive good prognosis considering the condition is not found until it reached advanced 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. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer include sore throat, hoarseness and pain in the ear; the prognosis depends on what stage the cancer is in at that time.

Kidney Cancer – Many studies have linked exposure to asbestos to an increased risk of kidney cancer. Additional research has suggested a link between asbestos and other cancers such as    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 microscopic fibers can become lodged in the lungs or other internal tissues and organs, causing the development of cancer and other non-cancerous illnesses like asbestosis (a chronic lung ailment).

Not every instance of asbestos exposure can be prevented but often times, employers have a duty to try to decrease the risk of being exposed and also teach employees preventative procedures. If may be entitled to some compensation if you developed cancer from asbestos. Talk to an experienced attorney now for an evaluation of your case at no cost to learn more about your legal rights.

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos cancer, cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma

This entry was posted on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 8:47 pm and is filed under mesothelioma cancer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.