What is asbestos?

Asbestos
is a fibrous material that has chemical and fire resistant qualities, which was used for a variety of manufacturing and industrial purposes before the 1980s. It was most popularly used for insulation and was implemented in a number of United States Navy ships and naval yards during World War II.

In other industries like automotive, construction, and similar fields, asbestos was utilized for a variety of purposes and was commonly used for new home construction before the 1980s.

According to the American Cancer Society, asbestos exposure can lead to a number of long term health complications such as mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer.

How does asbestos cause lung cancer?

When asbestos is either inhaled or swallowed, it can become lodged in the lungs or stomach and cause scarring. The scarring can eventually fester into cancer cells, which can either be directly in the lungs or its mucus lining.

It is important to note that mesothelioma, a rare form of asbestos lung cancer, is specifically caused by asbestos fiber scarring in the mucus lining of the lungs and has been linked to both first hand and second-hand exposure.

Scientists have been investigating for years as to why asbestos may cause lung cancer, with one of the most recent inquiries published in the most recent issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers Dr. Haining Yang and Dr. Michele Carbone at the University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center reportedly led a collaborative effort at New York University, University of Chicago, and other institutions, to address how asbestos may be causing cancer.

Asbestos fibers kill cells, so it has been a mystery to scientists as to why this would cause cancer because a dead cell should not be able to reproduce and form a tumor.

Researchers found that when asbestos kills cells, it induces a process called “programmed cell necrosis” that leads to the release of a high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), which starts a specific type of inflammation that encourages tumor formation.

Researchers also found that patients who experienced asbestos exposure have high levels of HMGB1, with plans to start a clinical trial to target these proteins, which may lead to a potential treatment process for mesothelioma.

How are people exposed to asbestos?

While asbestos fibers are harmless when dormant, they become dangerous when released into the air. According to MedicineNet, approximately 125 million people experience regular workplace asbestos exposure, with the most high-risk occupations including:

• Miners
• Paper Mill Workers
• Factory Workers
• Workers who Install or Remove Asbestos
• Automotive Repair
• Boilermaking
• Construction
• Pipefitting
• United States Military or Navy Veterans
• Shipyard Workers
• Textile Workers
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Roofers
• Toll Collectors
• Linotype Technicians
• Plumbers

How long does it take for asbestos lung cancer to be diagnosed?

Asbestos lung cancer can take up to 35 years to develop to the point of showing symptoms, with most patients experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood.

There is no cure for asbestos lung cancer and treatment will be dependent on the severity of the patient’s condition. The earlier the diagnoses, the better, with other potential symptoms including:

• Hoarseness or Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Loss of Appetite
• Swelling of Face or Neck
• Chronic Respiratory Infections