How likely is asbestos to cause cancer?

It is known that breathing asbestos fibers can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer in humans.

There are two types of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos:

• Mesothelioma

  Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin lining (sheath) surrounding the lungs (pleural membrane) or the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Depending on the organs involved, cancer caused by exposure to asbestos is termed abdominal mesothelioma, or pleural mesothelioma, etc. Cancer from asbestos does not develop immediately, but usually shows up after a number of years -some times it takes between 20 to 50 years to develop. Studies of workers who are exposed to asbestos fibres also suggest that breathing asbestos can increase chances of getting cancer in other parts of the body (stomach, intestines, esophagus, pancreas, and kidneys) as well, but this is less common. Early cancer detection and timely treatment of any cancer, including Mesothelioma, can significantly improve a cancer patient's quality of life and to some extent, the cancer survival survival rate.

• Lung cancer

  Cigarette smoke and asbestos together significantly increase chances of getting lung cancer. Therefore, if someone has been exposed to asbestos, (s)he should stop smoking. This may be one of the most important action that one can take to improve one's health and decrease risk of lung cancer.

Additional information available on: Lung Cancer Causes, Lung Cancer Risk Factors, Lung Cancer Early Signs, Lung Cancer Symptoms, Lung Cancer Early Diagnosis, Staging of Lung Cancer Tumors, Lung Cancer Treatment, Lung Cancer Vaccine, Lung Cancer Prognosis, Small Cell Lung Cancer, - SCLC, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - NSCLC, Mixed Small Cell/Large Cell Lung Cancer, Asbestos, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure, Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Symptoms, Mesothelioma Treatment, Mesothelioma Drugs, Mesothelioma Surgery, Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Drugs, and Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy.

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Please visit our Lung Disease reference page for additional information on various lung related health issues.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.