November is Lung Cancer Awareness month, an effort by the American Lung Association to bring awareness to the fight against the leading cancer killer of both men and women in the United States, and in recognition of the millions of people affected by this disease.

Lung cancer is the most deadly form of cancer in the United States. Nearly 200,000 Americans are diagnosed every year. While smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, exposure to asbestos also increases the risk of developing deadly lung cancer. Thousands of people have died from asbestos lung cancer.

Asbestos exposure typically comes from certain types of workplaces. Places like construction sites and ship yards are known to contain asbestos. Jobs like textile workers, roofers, plumbers, and toll collectors are some of the occupations that are more commonly exposed to asbestos. Many U.S. military personnel are also high on the list of asbestos lung cancer patients as the military used asbestos on its ships, tanks, barracks, and many other places. Many people who have developed asbestos lung cancer have filed asbestos lung cancer lawsuits against their employers.

Asbestos has been widely used across the country for decades. It became a popular insulator or fireproofing material due to its ability to be extremely heat-resistant. However, asbestos particles have been known to enter the body and cause dangerous diseases. Most asbestos lung cancer patients will not even be diagnosed until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure.

While asbestos is currently banned from use, the consistent use throughout the country in the past has caused researchers to notice asbestos related lung cancer. Some companies have set aside millions for asbestos lung cancer claims; some went bankrupt.

Lung Cancer Types

There are two types of lung cancer:  non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

About 15% of lung cancer cases are small cell lung cancer. This kind of lung cancer is more difficult to treat. Non-small cell lung cancer comprises the other 85% and is less agressive. Late lung cancer diagnoses are very common because certain lung cancer symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, and fatigue) are typically thought to be other problems.

Small cell lung cancer survival is about 16-22 months. If the lung cancer is in a further state, the survival is about nine-11 months.

Asbestos Lung Cancer Diagnosis

In 1997, the Helsinki Criteria were created in order to help determine if lung cancer in a patient was asbestos-related or caused by something else. The first criteria is that the cancer must develop at least 10 years after asbestos exposure.

A lung cancer patient need only fit one of the following Helsinki Criteria in order for an asbestos lung cancer diagnosis to be confirmed: the patient must  have had high exposure to asbestos (whether an extremely high amount of asbestos in a short amount of time or slightly less over longer); the patient must have more asbestos fibers than normal in the lung; or the client must have an asbestosis diagnosis.

While the Helsinki Criteria test is not without its flaws (i.e., asbestos exposure flatly increases lung cancer risks), it is still generally upheld. The Helsinki Criteria test is not the only way to confirm an asbestos lung cancer diagnosis.

Asbestos lung cancer is a potentially deadly diagnosis. Many people are exposed to asbestos through the work place, potentially knowingly exposed by their employer. Because of this, many asbestos lung cancer lawsuits have been filed and millions have already been paid in asbestos settlements.