01. How Asbestos Causes Cancer
How Does Asbestos Cause Cancer?
Asbestos is a mineral that was commonly used in thousands of products for decades. It was a staple of construction materials and can still be found in many older buildings today. If asbestos is released into the air, people can inhale or swallow the microscopic fibers.
Once the fibers enter the body, they can embed in tissues and organ linings. Over time, the fibers can cause irritation, inflammation and scarring. This can lead to asbestos diseases and cancers like mesothelioma. In addition, it can cause lung, ovarian and laryngeal cancers. Asbestos exposure can also trigger other conditions, like asbestosis (lung scarring) and pleural plaques.
It can take many years for asbestos-related cancers to develop and symptoms to emerge. This time span is called a latency period. Often, mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer patients aren’t diagnosed until 10 – 50 years after their first exposure.
All six types of asbestos can cause cancer. Any amount of exposure, including short-term asbestos exposure, can lead to an asbestos-related illness.
02. Asbestos Cancer Types
What Types of Cancer Are Caused by Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure can cause many types of cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has definitively linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also linked the above cancers to asbestos exposure. The IARC is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a leader in cancer research.
Some studies suggest a possible link between asbestos and other types of cancers. These include breast cancer, stomach cancer and colon cancer.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the lining around certain organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos can cause the fibers to embed in organ linings. After that, the fibers can cause inflammation, irritation and damage, leading to cancer.
The location of the affected tissues determines the type of mesothelioma. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining around the lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings around the abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium) or testis (tunica vaginalis).
Asbestos Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure can also lead to lung cancer. Asbestos lung cancer develops after fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the lung tissue. The fibers can then cause irritation, triggering the formation of malignant cells. It is different from mesothelioma.
The development of asbestos-related lung cancer can take more than a decade. As a result, symptoms may not appear for many years after initial exposure.
Research has found long-term asbestos exposure increases the likelihood of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. However, there are several other risk factors, such as smoking.
Asbestos-Related Ovarian Cancer
Asbestos exposure can lead to ovarian cancer. Asbestos-related ovarian cancer is caused when asbestos fibers travel through the body to the ovaries. There are two main ways asbestos may reach the ovaries:
- People apply asbestos-contaminated products (such as talcum powder) to the genitals. Fibers then travel through the reproductive system.
- People inhale or swallow asbestos. Fibers then travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, eventually reaching the ovaries.
The IARC recognized asbestos as a proven cause of ovarian cancer in 2009. More recent studies continue to support this finding.
Asbestos-Related Laryngeal Cancer
Asbestos exposure can lead to laryngeal cancer (cancer of the voice box). Asbestos-related laryngeal cancer is caused by inhaling asbestos. Fibers must travel through the larynx before reaching the lungs. As a result, fibers can embed in the tissues of the voice box. This can lead to the development of malignant cells.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has confirmed the relationship between laryngeal cancer and asbestos. Many medical studies also support asbestos as a cause.
Other Asbestos-Related Diseases
Asbestos exposure may cause other cancers and illnesses as well. Cancers that may be linked to asbestos exposure include:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Pharyngeal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Stomach cancer
Some people may be diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) asbestos disease. However, a benign condition could also be associated with a malignant condition. For example, pleural effusion is a symptom of pleural mesothelioma.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Risk Factors
Asbestos Cancer Risk Factors
Studies have found several factors that may increase the risk of developing asbestos cancer, including:
- Alcohol use
- Existing medical conditions
- Gender
- Genetics
- Increasing age
- Increasing duration or intensity of asbestos exposure
- Low physical activity
- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Radiation exposure
- Smoking
How Does Asbestos Exposure Happen?
Asbestos exposure can happen in many ways. One of the most common ways to come into contact with asbestos is through asbestos-containing products. This may happen on the job, like construction workers using asbestos construction products. It could also happen at home while renovating a house or using asbestos consumer products. Although no level of exposure is safe, long-term exposure increases the risk of asbestos cancer.
Individuals who know they have been exposed to asbestos should inform their doctor as soon as possible. Proactive monitoring may help increase the likelihood of early detection. Asbestos cancer patients diagnosed in early stages often have better prognoses than those diagnosed at later stages.
04. Symptoms
Common Asbestos Cancer Symptoms
Specific symptoms may vary between types of asbestos cancers. Some common symptoms across asbestos cancers include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Ear pain
- Fatigue
- New lumps
- Reproductive or sexual changes
- Sore throat
- Urinary urgency
- Weight loss
Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have an asbestos cancer. But awareness of the possible signs may help you catch them earlier. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, contact your doctor if any new symptoms arise or existing issues get worse.
05. Treating Asbestos Cancer
Asbestos Cancer Treatment
Treatment plans will vary on a case-by-case basis. Doctors consider multiple factors when creating a treatment plan. This may include cancer type, stage, overall health, age and other patient characteristics.
Treatments for asbestos-related cancers include:
- Chemotherapy
- Combination treatments (multimodal therapy)
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation
- Surgery
In general, chemotherapy and combination plans are the most common. But specific treatment plans vary between cancer types.
Patients should seek care from specialists. This may help ensure they receive an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. For example, mesothelioma specialists have a deep understanding of which treatment options work best for different types of mesothelioma.
Managing Emotions and Finances During Cancer Treatment
Some patients may find treatment overwhelming. But treatment is the best way for patients to improve their prognosis, extend their life expectancy and boost their quality of life. For example, mesothelioma patients who undergo any type of treatment generally live about six months longer than those who do not.
There are resources to help manage the emotional, physical and financial burden of an asbestos cancer diagnosis.
- Asbestos cancer patients and caregivers can seek out resources for coping with the emotions that come with a diagnosis.
- Patients may be able to seek palliative procedures to help with symptom management. Seeing a cancer dietitian may also help manage symptoms and treatment side effects.
- Patients and loved ones may be able to seek financial assistance for treatment costs associated with asbestos cancers.
06. Common Questions
Common Questions About Asbestos Cancer
- Will I get cancer if I breathe in asbestos?
Not every person who breathes in asbestos develops cancer. But inhaling or swallowing fibers can increase the risk of developing asbestos-related cancer. No level of asbestos exposure is safe. People who have been exposed should let their doctors know and monitor for any symptoms.
- Can you prevent asbestos cancer?
There is no way to fully prevent asbestos cancer. But you may be able to reduce your risk by avoiding asbestos. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should inform their doctor. Together, you can monitor for signs of asbestos cancer. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may provide additional protection against cancer.
