By Treven Pyles
Posted on September 28th, 2016
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you need to watch out for signs and symptoms of cancer. Around 20% of those who were exposed to asbestos will develop a related disease in the future and, in most cases, the disease will affect the lungs.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published in 2012 that exposure to asbestos can lead to deadly conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening and several other types of cancers. The growth of abnormal cells usually occurs when healthy cells become damaged after being exposed to a carcinogen.
Mesothelioma is cancer that is exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. About 75% of mesothelioma cancers affect the lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma), whereas 20% of mesotheliomas develop in the abdominal lining (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Rarely, mesothelioma does occur in the lining of the heart and testes. Asbestos-related cancers are caused by the inhalation and/or ingestion of asbestos fibers that often get lodged in lung tissues.
Over the years, these fibers get accumulated as our body will not be able to expel or dissolve the asbestos material.
These fibers also migrate to other organs and tissues throughout the body. This is the reason why scientists began to study the connection between asbestos and other types of cancer.
Eligible asbestos caused diseases. You have 3 years to file for a claim. Contact us right away.
Average cost of surgery
$15,000
Average cost of chemotherapy
$9,360
Average cost of surgery
$37,450
Average cost of chemotherapy
$30,592
Average cost of surgery
$30,138
Average cost of chemotherapy
$25,000
Average cost of radiation therapy
$11,100
Average cost of chemotherapy
$12,000
Average cost of surgery
$31,865
Average cost of chemotherapy
$42,450
Average cost of surgery
$31,738
Average cost of chemotherapy
$45,997
Average cost of surgery
$14,000
Average cost of chemotherapy
$8,900
Non-eligible asbestos caused diseases. Generally our clients get a secondary diagnosis with this diagnosis. Check with your doctor.
Average cost of surgery
$42,450
Rounded atelectasis is not usually accompanied by perceivable symptoms. However, in severe cases, one or more of the following symptoms may occur:
Average cost of surgery
$22,435
Pleural plaques do not require treatment.
Pleural thickening is irreversible, some treatment might consist in bronchodilators.
Average cost of treatment
$4,000
"Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the US and the greatest health risk for American asbestos workers," according to OSHA. Studies have shown that asbestos kills twice as many people with lung cancer than mesothelioma. At least 4% of lung cancer cases are related to asbestos exposure. The risk of lung cancer is higher among smokers who have been additionally exposed to asbestos. Smoking and asbestos exposure drastically weaken the lungs and smokers with past exposure are more likely to develop lung cancer.
Although asbestos cancer most often refers to mesothelioma, other cancers are associated with prolonged asbestos exposure in a contaminated environment. A number of studies have shown a link between asbestos exposure and other types of cancer.
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you should have regular health check-ups and watch out for symptoms of cancer.
Around 20% of those who were exposed to asbestos will develop a related disease in the future and, in most cases, the disease will affect the lungs.
As asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period, there are serious risks even after the exposure period has ended. With the support of our team of specialists, you can learn whether you have cause for concern or not. We offer free screenings, based on your latest X-rays.
We possess extensive experience in handling toxic tort cases. Our dedicated staff will evaluate your case thoroughly and help you file a claim. To initiate the legal process, you will have to send our attorneys your employment or military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. Call us at 205.328.9200 if you have been diagnosed with any asbestos-related disease.