Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

There is a large difference between the development of Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer. Many people assume that asbestos relates to the development of both cancers however it is not true. It has been scientifically proven that asbestos exposure does not directly lead to the development of lung cancer. However, smoking and asbestos exposure together will greatly increase the likelihood of developing fatal Mesothelioma. This is because the lungs have already been damaged by the smoking and thus are much more susceptible to the asbestos damage.

Many manufacturers and construction people knew of the dangers of asbestos early on but despite the warnings many companies downplayed the risks of asbestos exposure. This in part was because asbestos was very effective as a heat retarding substance and is cheap to manufacture. They continued using and manufacturing asbestos products failing to provide necessary protection.

When the 1970s came, many OSHA laws came into place that regulated the exposure level of asbestos to workers. It also limited the use of these products in civilian homes and other public areas however the law came late. Much of the damage had already been done to those that were exposed to the deadly asbestos. Thousands of former workers have since developed serious, life-threatening asbestos exposure-related diseases, including asbestosis, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Conditions Causing Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma

The first condition that causes both Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma is called Asbestosis or Pulmonary Fibrosis also known as Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonitis. It is a non-cancerous condition where a person is exposed to higher than safe levels of asbestos. The disease develops when microscopic asbestos become lodged in the lung causing severe irritation, inflammation and the development of scar tissue in the lung. The scarring affect of the asbestos stiffens the lungs and as a result will inhibit airflow, cause shortness of breath and also is normally associated with a serious cough.

The problem with any asbestos based condition is that it takes an extremely long for the condition to manifest. Often 20-30 years go buy after the initial exposure before the Mesothelioma or Lung cancer presents. If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, you may be at increased risk for other respiratory problems and are advised to avoid further asbestos exposure and to stop smoking.