Cancer is a burden not just on the person who has cancer, but also their family and loved ones who must go through this challenging life change.
What are some of the deadliest forms of cancer?
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Colon/rectum cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver/bile duct cancer
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Mesothelioma
There are many different types of cancer and the severity can range widely, but the above are some of the most dangerous cancers in men and women.
Mesothelioma cancer from Asbestos Exposure
Let’s focus on one of the deadliest types of cancer – mesothelioma – which affects the lungs and is brought on several years after exposure to the substance that causes it – asbestos.
Asbestos fibers usually enter the body when the person inhales them. The asbestos-containing material isn’t thought to be especially harmful unless the fibers or dust move into the air where someone can ingest or inhale the asbestos. This happens because asbestos that is friable can be crumbled easily by hand and its fibers go into the air. Fibers might only make it as far as the individual’s nose and throat where they can be removed. If fibers make it into their lungs or digestive tract, this is when there are worse health problems.
Floor tile that contains asbestos isn’t friable but asbestos in sprayed-on insulation is highly friable. Anyone who works with this should use the appropriate protective wear to avoid inhalation or ingestion.
It’s important to note that ceiling and floor tiles, shingles, fire doors, and undamaged laboratory cabinet tops among other things don’t release the fibers if they aren’t damaged or disturbed. It’s crucial that if you find out a house you’ve bought has asbestos-containing material, be careful in how you proceed while having it removed. Also, be aware of the condition of the house or a work site if you know or suspect that there’s asbestos on the premises. Aging, water damage, and heavy physical impact that includes sawing, grinding, and drilling can lead to the breakdown of the materials and release of asbestos.
What makes asbestos so dangerous to people?
It’s incredibly difficult to destroy asbestos fibers. For this reason, the body can’t remove or break them down with ease after they’re in lung tissues or other tissues in the body. They’ll stay for a while and over time it’s more likely that these fibers will cause disease in the form of asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other lung cancers.
Possibly one of the scariest things about health risks from asbestos is that you may not pick up on symptoms for years. If it goes undetected there’s more of a chance that the person’s health won’t improve with treatment. Make sure to reach out to your doctor if you believe you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos whether on the job, in your home, or if you have lived near an asbestos mine.
Asbestos lawsuits typically settle out of court for the amount of around $1 million and you can read more about how this type of lawsuit works. Fortunately for victims, about 95% of cases settle out of court for compensation.