Asbestos cancers are caused by inhalation or ingestion of large amounts of toxic asbestos fibers. Besides mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos exposure can lead to other serious, potentially fatal diseases.

While the term “asbestos cancer” most often refers to mesothelioma, a number of other cancers are associated with asbestos exposure. Lung cancer can be directly caused by asbestos exposure, and some studies have suggested a link between exposure and other types of cancer. Elevated risks for a number of other cancers continue to be investigated. According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer are caused by asbestos.

In a large study of 1,047 asbestos industry employees, a malignant tumor was listed as the official cause of death for 208 workers. Respiratory cancers (primarily in the bronchus, trachea or lung) made up the majority of the cancer deaths, followed by cancers of the digestive organs and peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen.

Causes, Risk Factors and Incidence

As its name suggests, asbestos cancers are caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos. When these toxic fibers enter the body, they can cause genetic changes in healthy mesothelial cells. Over time, healthy mesothelial cells develop DNA damage that leads to cancer. Asbestos exposure is practically the primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma, while lung cancer can be caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to radon.

Although smoking exacerbates any potential symptoms that asbestos-related diseases may display, it does not increase your risk of developing mesothelioma if you've been exposed to asbestos. Smoking combined with asbestos exposure does greatly increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Other factors that may affect a person's overall health and risk of developing cancer following exposure may include a lifestyle low in exercise, high in stress and poor dietary choices.


Be Watchful of Symptoms

People with a history of asbestos exposure need to watch out for signs and symptoms of cancer in their bodies. Around 20 percent of persons exposed to asbestos will go on to develop a related disease, and in most cases the disease will affect the lungs. As a result, they should be especially mindful of their lung health and function. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain are symptoms of asbestosis, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms that affect the pelvis, abdomen and digestive system could be signs of peritoneal mesothelioma, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and ovarian cancer. Be watchful of abdominal swelling and pain, digestion issues, changes in bowl habits and nausea. Women should be mindful of menstrual changes, pain during sex, back pain and fatigue, because these are symptoms of ovarian cancer.