Epidemiologic Studies on Nonrespiratory Cancers and Asbestos Exposure

Epidemiologic studies do not clearly support a consistent relationship between nonrespiratory cancers and asbestos exposure.

Introduction

Medical research has shown that people who are exposed to asbestos (through breathing in the asbestos fibers) have an increased risk of developing respiratory cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma (a rare form of lung cancer).

Some research suggests that exposure to asbestos also increases the risk of nonrespiratory cancers.

However, despite a few studies reporting these associations, most studies do not show a consistent relationship between asbestos exposure and nonrespiratory cancers.

Following is an overview of studies on asbestos exposure and nonrespiratory cancers.