Asbestos Cancer : all you need to know

Asbestos cancers are caused by inhalation or ingestion of large amounts of toxic asbestos fibers. Besides mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos exposure can lead to other serious, potentially fatal diseases.

While the term “asbestos cancer” most often refers to mesothelioma, a number of other cancers are associated with asbestos exposure. Lung cancer can be directly caused by asbestos exposure, and some studies have suggested a link between exposure and other types of cancer. Elevated risks for a number of other cancers continue to be investigated. According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer are caused by asbestos.

In a large study of 1,047 asbestos industry employees, a malignant tumor was listed as the official cause of death for 208 workers. Respiratory cancers (primarily in the bronchus, trachea or lung) made up the majority of the cancer deaths, followed by cancers of the digestive organs and peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen.

Causes, Risk Factors and Incidence

As its name suggests, asbestos cancers are caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos. When these toxic fibers enter the body, they can cause genetic changes in healthy mesothelial cells. Over time, healthy mesothelial cells develop DNA damage that leads to cancer. Asbestos exposure is practically the primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma, while lung cancer can be caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to radon.

Inhaled asbestos can lodge in the lining of organs, causing cells to mutate and become cancerous

Although smoking exacerbates any potential symptoms that asbestos-related diseases may display, it does not increase your risk of developing mesothelioma if you've been exposed to asbestos. Smoking combined with asbestos exposure does greatly increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Other factors that may affect a person's overall health and risk of developing cancer following exposure may include a lifestyle low in exercise, high in stress and poor dietary choices.