Asbestos Cancers-What are the less common types?

Although mesothelioma is the commonest type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure, it can also less commonly lead to the development of other cancers such as lung cancer.

Lung Cancer

This is another dangerous cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. There are two types of lung cancer: a-small cell lung cancer, and b-Non-small cell lung cancer. The Non small cell lung cancer is the commonest type of lung cancer , accounting for about 80% of known cases. The diagnosis of lung cancer is confirmed by the appearance of cancer cells under the microscope, in the sample of the tumor tissue.

Symptoms These include:

A}coughing

B}chest pain

C}haemoptysis-the presence of blood in the sputum

D}weight loss

E}tiredness

F}headaches

Just like in mesothelioma, these symptoms do not appear until many years after the initial exposure to the hazardous material. Anyone experiencing these symptoms of lung cancer and who has been exposed to asbestos in the past should seek immediate medical evaluation and examination.

Apart from mesothelioma and lung cancer which are the two most commonly associated cancers with exposure to asbestos, exposure can also lead to a number of other ,very serious life threatening cancers like gastrointestinal cancer, and colorectal cancers. Also according to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to asbestos can also increase the chances of developing kidney, throat, esophagus, and gall bladder cancers.

In addition to these cancers, exposure to asbestos has also been linked to breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, as well as Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Associated Risk Factors For Asbestos Cancer

As with other carcinogens, the risk of developing this type of cancer is influenced by a number of factors related to exposure.

1-The amount of asbestos to which a person is exposed to is an important factor, as the number of asbestos fibers increases, so also the likelihood of developing serious asbestos related diseases increases.

2-The duration of exposure is also an important factor in determining the risk of developing the cancer.

3-Smoking increases the risk of developing the cancer.

4-The presence of other pre existing diseases also increases the risk of developing asbestos cancer. For example, people who have developed non malignant pleural diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos have a greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Recommended steps to take after exposure to asbestos

If you have been exposed to asbestos at any time, you should see your doctor for a medical examination. Most of the cancers caused by asbestos present years and decades after the initial exposure by which time the tumor will have been too advanced for curative treatments.

If you eventually receive a diagnosis of asbestos related cancer, you should seek the assistance of an asbestos lawyer to get you compensation from the companies that knowingly manufactured asbestos contaminated products.