ASBESTOS LUNG CANCER DISEASE

The number of deaths attributed to asbestos-caused lung cancer are nearly three-times greater than the number of deaths attributed to mesothelioma, the signature asbestos-related cancer

October 7, 2010 – People who work with asbestos have a greater risk of developing asbestos lung cancer disease, just one of several potentially lethal illnesses associated with occupational asbestos exposure.

Worksite inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers was proven to cause lung cancer disease as early as 1925.

Today, total lung cancer cases account for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women, accounting for 28 percent of all cancer deaths. An estimated 157,300 lung cancer deaths are expected to be recorded this year, says the American Cancer Society.

Asbestos-related lung cancer deaths are relatively rare and represent only a small portion of the total lung cancer deaths cited above. National estimates of deaths caused by asbestos lung cancer disease range from 5,000 to 10,000 per year, according to the EWG Action Fund, a nonprofit research group in Washington, D.C.

Three thousand annual deaths attributed to mesothelioma, a cancer that is also caused by asbestos exposure, represent only one-third of the total deaths caused by asbestos lung cancer disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in seven workers diagnosed with asbestosis eventually develops asbestos lung cancer disease. The more prolonged the exposure to asbestos – as is the case with career tradesmen – the greater the risk of developing lung cancer.

Asbestos exposure occurs when these products release toxic fibers into the air that are accidentally inhaled by workers and the public. Inhalation is the most common avenue for exposure and occurs when asbestos-based products are in poor condition or are destroyed during renovation and demolition activities.

Asbestos and cigarettes: A double-barreled killer

Cigarette smoking is by far the most significant risk factor contributing to lung cancer, along with cigar and pipe smoking. Other risk factors include occupational or environmental exposure to toxic elements, including asbestos.

If asbestos-exposed workers are also smokers, their risk of developing lung cancer greatly increases, says the American Cancer Society.

Asbestos was used throughout much of the last century in a variety of industries, including the construction, automotive and maritime industries. Although the government began regulating its use and handling more than 30 years ago, many asbestos-containing materials are still embedded in public buildings, schools and residential homes.

Workers have a champion in Weitz & Luxenberg

Asbestos lung cancer disease will claim the lives of up to 10,000 individuals in the United States this year. If obvious precautions were taken against the dangers of work-site asbestos exposure, thousands of industrial workers and their families would not have to endure the horrors of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The realization that these diseases were absolutely preventable has spurred many diagnosed individuals to consult a cancer attorney. Courts recognize asbestos-linked lung cancer as a work-related injury eligible for financial restitution.

If you have been diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer disease and seek a FREE legal review of your case, contact a Weitz & Luxenberg asbestos cancer attorney today through the communication form presented here. The consultation is absolutely free and the information you receive will help you make important decisions at this difficult time.