By: Devin Golden on November 6, 2019
Asbestos is a carcinogen linked to numerous diseases and the only mineral that is proven to cause mesothelioma.
However, asbestos also causes lung cancer. We can explain how asbestos-caused lung cancer forms, how prevalent it is and the relevant risk factors to know. Below are 10 unique facts about asbestos-caused lung cancer (a disease commonly shortened to “asbestos lung cancer”).
Asbestos Lung Cancer Kills Thousands Each Year
According to the website Asbestos Nation, this particular asbestos disease is quite ordinary compared to others. The website states that asbestos lung cancer is linked to between 8,500 and 11,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Experts First Linked Asbestos and Lung Diseases Back in the 19th Century
According to a report in the American Family Physician, inhaling asbestos fibers was connected to lung disease way back in 1890. The first death attributed to exposure was in 1907. Despite a century-old link to deadly diseases, asbestos has not been banned in the United States.
There Are Multiple Types of Asbestos Lung Cancer
There are two types of asbestos lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The majority of asbestos lung cancer cases are the non-small cell variety. According to the American Cancer Society, only around 15% of patients have small cell asbestos lung cancer.
Asbestos Lung Cancer Has a Long Latency Period
Asbestos enters the lung cavity and irritates cells on the organ. However, the actual cancer doesn’t form until more than a decade later. The latency period for asbestos lung cancer is between 15 and 40 years.
Occupational Exposure is the Top Risk for Asbestos Lung Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, around 125 million people are exposed to asbestos through their occupation. This method of interacting with the mineral is the most common way people develop asbestos lung cancer.
Veterans Comprise the Largest Group of Asbestos Lung Cancer Patients
Americans who served in the U.S. military are at a high risk of having or soon developing asbestos lung cancer. The reason is simple: The military relied on asbestos for decades in building everything from barracks to ships. Anything the military wanted to protect from fires likely included asbestos — and still may even in 2019.
Smoking Increases the Risk of Developing Asbestos Lung Cancer
The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed how the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure increased the chances of developing lung cancer. According to a study of more than 55,000 workers, asbestos interaction for non-smokers increased their risk of lung cancer by five times. The risk of developing lung cancer was 28 times greater for smokers who were exposed to asbestos.
Many Asbestos Lung Cancer Patients Have Survived Numerous Years
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 19% of lung cancer patients survive for at least five years. The best route to achieving the longest survival time is through high-quality, multimodal treatment.
The List of Treatments for Asbestos Lung Cancer Is Growing
Treatment options for asbestos lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Keytruda, which is the brand name for pembrolizumab, is a popular immunotherapy drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this disease.
Financial Help Is Available to Asbestos Lung Cancer Patients
Asbestos was considered a magic mineral for the majority of the 20th century. The mineral is cheap to produce, easy to find and can protect products and buildings from fires. However, asbestos is also a danger to hard-working Americans’ health. People who worked with this substance were put in harm’s way regularly to preserve profits.
About the Writer, Devin Golden
Devin Golden is the content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin’s objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.
