Lung Cancer Studies, Asbestos Exposure and Link to Colorectal Cancer Conclusions

Studies show a strong link between respiratory cancers (cancers of the lung and mesothelioma) and exposure to asbestos in humans.

However, epidemiologic studies do not clearly or consistently show a strong link between cancers at other sites and exposure to asbestos in humans.

Some epidemiologic studies suggest an association between gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers and asbestos exposure.

Very few studies suggest elevated rates of cancers of the kidney, brain, larynx, and bladder and asbestos exposure.

Although some evidence suggests that exposure to asbestos also increases the risk of nonrespiratory cancers, the evidence remains weak, compared to that of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

A final combined analysis of studies of asbestos workers providing data on laryngeal disease concluded that there was no evidence of a positive association between asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer.

The ATSDR