Diseases that can be caused by asbestos

Introduction

Asbestos is a very toxic naturally occurring mineral that up to the 1990s, it was being used in making many products. Asbestos has so far been linked to many diseases and fatal health conditions. A good example of conditions caused by asbestos includes lung cancer as well as mesothelioma.  It can also cause ovarian and laryngeal cancer. Many people have been affected by asbestos so far. Although there are asbestos-related diseases that can be handled just like chronic illnesses, there are some conditions that are known to be deadly and fatal. That is why it is always important to conduct an asbestos test in your building. Here are some of the asbestos-related diseases and conditions

Mesothelioma

This is the most common type of asbestos-related disease that has affected many people who have been exposed to the toxic mineral. There was a study done in the year 2017 on asbestos. According to a 2017 CDC analysis, it was found that despite asbestos being banned, there are more than 40000 people who still die of mesothelioma in the United States. It has also been found that between 1999 and 2015, asbestos exposure remains the number one cause of death related to work.  Acceding to medical data, over 3000 people still get infected with mesothelioma every year. Most of the people who get the disease are those working in construction companies and those exposed directly to the toxic mineral. If you think your house has presence of asbestos, consider looking for an asbestos survey and removal company.

Mesothelioma is a disease that forms membranes of body cavities. When you have mesothelioma, a tumor can occur on the lining of your lungs, your testes, and even your heart. There are different types of mesothelioma and each one of them is associated with a unique symptom. Shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and chest pain affect almost all the patients.

Lung cancer

Believe it or not, lung cancer can also be caused by asbestos. Although asbestos is only responsible for a small portion of lung cancer. Asbestos is still the most fatal asbestos-related condition. It is said that the disease claimed more than 155870 people in the USA. There are many asbestos smokers and most of them are at risk of suffering from small cell or non-small cell type of cancer. Because cancer is deadly, it is very important to avoid asbestos exposure by all means.

Ovarian cancer

There has been a lot of research on the relationship between ovarian cancer and asbestos exposure. It was confirmed back in 2009 that asbestos can be one of the major causes of ovarian cancer among people. This is because the fiber emanating from asbestos has been found in the ovaries of asbestos-exposed women. The fiber might reach the ovaries through the bloodstream. It can also reach the ovaries through the reproductive tract and even the lymph system.

The bile duct cancer

Another disease related to asbestos is bile duct cancer. This is most common with patients who have sustained occupational exposure to the substance. To avoid the risk of bile duct cancer, hire an asbestos survey and testing company.