Asbestos lawyers

What's asbestosis disease?

Asbestosis is a progressive and irreversible condition that restricts breathing caused by inhaled asbestos fibres scarring and eventually hardening the lungs.

What are the symptoms of asbestosis?

Symptoms of asbestosis can include a shortness of breath (dyspnoea), coughing, chest tightness and chest pain. Doctors can test for asbestosis by conducting a respiratory/lung function test and radiological investigations including chest X-rays and CT scans. Because asbestosis can be a progressive condition, symptoms will often get worse and the need for treatment can increase with age.

Who's most likely to suffer from asbestosis?

Asbestosis is caused by exposure to and inhalation of asbestos fibres. Sufferers of asbestosis have a significant history of asbestos exposure, however they may not be diagnosed until decades after their exposure to asbestos. Exposure can occur in people who worked with or in the vicinity of products containing asbestos over a prolonged period or for shorter but more intense periods. It's possible to suffer from other asbestos-related conditions at the same time as asbestosis, such as asbestos-related pleural thickening or pleural plaques.

What's mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer which develops in the mesothelium, the protective membrane which covers most of the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos dust. It’s thought that when asbestos fibres are inhaled or ingested, they pierce the mesothelial lining, causing cells to react abnormally, and usually result in scarring or inflammation.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms usually appear around 30 to 40 years after first exposure. Sometimes it’s as long as 60 years, but usually not less than 15 years.

Mesothelioma often isn't diagnosed until the later stages of the disease. It's important that symptoms are identified and treated as soon as possible to improve quality of life. Symptoms differ depending on the type of mesothelioma. Early warning signs can include a cough, shortness of breath and shoulder or abdominal pain.

Types of mesothelioma cancer

There are four types of asbestos mesothelioma:

• pleural - involving the lungs
• peritoneal - involving the stomach and abdomen
• pericardial - involving the heart
• testicular

Pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are the most common types, comprising approximately 90% of all cases.

What's asbestos lung cancer?

Asbestos cancers are caused by breathing in or swallowing toxic asbestos in the form of either dust or fibres. The toxic fibres enter the body and lodge in healthy cells, eventually causing DNA changes and damage that lead to cancer.

What are the symptoms of asbestos lung cancer?

Like mesothelioma, symptoms can take decades to develop. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood.

Types of asbestos lung cancer

There are many forms of lung cancer, and many of these can be related to working with asbestos. Asbestos lung cancers include:

• adenocarcinoma
• non-small cell lung cancer
• squamous cell lung cancer
• small cell lung cancer