Asbestos and Cancer
Asbestos and cancer go hand in hand since these tiny fibers embed themselves into the lungs once inhaled and cause mesothelioma (a form of cancer).
Asbestos poses its greatest risk when the product or material containing it is disrupted or damaged. Damage to the material causes the particles to be released into the air. When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs they become trapped and remain in the lungs as an irritant for a very long time. The prolonged exposure to this irritant, causes scaring of the tissues which can lead to asbestos cancer and other serious health conditions.
Prolonged irritation of the lungs - such as cigarette smoking - has been found to cause specific types of cancer. In the case of asbestos and cancer, this is better known as mesothelioma. Prolonged asbestos exposure has been the cause of an elevated number of cases of asbestosis. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous condition where the patient experiences coughing, shortness of breath, and lung damage.
Although many people are exposed to asbestos on a day-to-day basis, the exposure level is quite low. Therefore the average person will most likely never develop cancer due to asbestos. The people who are largely at risk are ones who have jobs which expose them to the mineral. This could include auto mechanics who constantly change automotive brakes and inhale the asbestos containing brake dust frequently. Other people at risk, live in homes which have disturbed asbestos fibers that have become airborne.
Anyone who suspects that they’ve been exposed to elevated levels of asbestos due to their job, household, etc., should remain especially cautious of specific symptoms. Some important symptoms of asbestos and cancer are: lack of breath, persistent cough that continues to get worse, blood from the lungs, pain in the chest, swelling in the face or neck, loss of appetite, tiredness, and weight loss. Should an individual experience any of these symptoms they should not hesitate in schedule an appointment with their doctor.