Asbestos and Lung Cancer

Medical experts first established a correlation between exposure to asbestos and lung cancer in 1935. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) currently reports that around 20 tradespeople a week could be dying from asbestos-related lung cancer, and estimate that tradespeople encounter asbestos 100 times a year. There are around 5,000 asbestos related deaths per annum.

Yet, many people still aren’t up to speed with asbestos safety and awareness. So, what are the asbestos facts?

What is asbestos, and how does it cause cancer?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral substance. When a product containing asbestos is disturbed it releases microscopic fibres, and if inhaled, these fibres can become trapped in the lungs. The consequence of this is inflammation and scarring, as well as a host of other serious health problems. The fibres can also trigger lung cancer.

It has been said by researchers that the duration and concentration of exposure to asbestos means a higher risk of developing lung cancer – as much as 4% with each year of exposure.

What are the related types of cancer?

The two types of cancer caused by asbestos exposure are pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. These cancers originate in different locations yet have very similar symptoms, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Once asbestos is inhaled, it can become lodged in lung tissue or in the lining of the lungs (known as the pleural lining), and can cause cancer in both locations. Asbestos lodged in lung tissue causes lung cancer, while asbestos lodged in the pleural lining causes pleural mesothelioma.

Who’s at risk?

Many asbestos-related deaths are among electricians, builders, plasterers and plumbers, or people working in construction industries such as shipbuilding or insulation. Within this occupational group, the death rate is increasing.

It takes a while for mesothelioma (a type of cancer that affects the membrane around the lung) to develop, so it is usually only diagnosed when it has reached an advanced stage. This means people who have previously worked in construction can still develop mesothelioma when they are older. At present, there isn’t a link between mesothelioma and smoking, but smokers who have also been exposed to asbestos have a greater risk of lung cancer than smokers who haven’t.

Take a look at our detailed guide to find out more about asbestos safety and the dangers related to it. Or, for more information on how to protect yourself through attending one of our asbestos safety courses, click here.