Asbestos exposure and skin cancer

During the last century, asbestos was present in over 75 industries, as well as in the military, which is why today, 20% of former industrial workers and 30% of veterans struggle with a serious disease as a consequence of exposure. While asbestos exposure mainly causes respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, there is medical evidence that it may also lead to the development of skin cancer, although more research is necessary in this respect. It is important to note that, if you came to suffer from skin cancer and have a history of asbestos exposure, you are not eligible for compensation unless you have a disease, which qualifies you for filing a claim. The following diseases make you eligible for filing a claim with asbestos trust funds and with the VA:

• lung cancer
• mesothelioma
• gastrointestinal cancer
• colorectal cancer
• throat cancer
• esophageal cancer
• bronchial cancer

When you touch asbestos on a regular basis without protective equipment such as gloves, warts may develop, as asbestos fibers are highly toxic and irritating to the skin. Over the years, these asbestos warts may turn malignant, and thereby you will receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. The symptoms of asbestos warts include a burning or itching sensation, pain, tingling, redness, and rashes. Because asbestos fibers have a rough texture, they can easily penetrate the skin, subsequently causing warts and severe inflammation. Nevertheless, if you only have skin cancer as a result of asbestos exposure, our law firm cannot help you file a claim with the asbestos trust funds or the VA to recover compensation, as there is not enough medical evidence supporting the causal relation between asbestos exposure and skin cancer.

According to a study conducted by the University of Hawaii, asbestos skin warts may be a telltale sign of mesothelioma in people with a history of asbestos exposure. Researchers state that the skin warts which develop after touching asbestos on a regular basis indicate a gene mutation. This mutation, which occurs in the BAP1 gene, may indicate that a person is highly susceptible to developing mesothelioma or that they already suffer from it. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. For this reason, people who developed skin warts from asbestos exposure need to undergo a regular medical examination, as their risk of developing mesothelioma is very high. The study was published in the Journal of Translational Medicine in 2012. "Identifying this gene as a cause of several cancers can tell us who is at risk in a family before cancer develops", says Dr. Michele Carbone, a renowned mesothelioma researcher and the lead author of the study.

Quality legal assistance for the victims of asbestos exposure

While our attorneys, who have over 30 years of experience in pursuing compensation for asbestos victims and their family members, cannot help you recover money for skin cancer, which may be the result of asbestos exposure, they will help you file a claim with asbestos trust funds if you struggle with a disease which makes you eligible, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Chances are that, if you have skin warts from asbestos exposure, asbestos fibers are also present in your lungs, which qualifies you for seeking financial compensation. So, we encourage you to seek medical assistance and have a chest X-ray, as asbestos fibers show on a chest X-ray. In the unfortunate case, you receive a diagnosis that makes you eligible for compensation, our resourceful attorneys and their skilled legal team will take over your case. We will go to great lengths to obtain the most favorable outcome for your case.

Asbestos Exposure