Different Health Issues That Can Stem from Asbestos

Asbestos is a material often used as a sealant in walls to block the cold from entering. It was once a popular substance in homebuilding, but many homeowners began reporting health issues about 15 years after exposure to the material, leading to a federal ban in 1989. To prevent any potential health problems, it’s vital to understand the different health issues that can stem from asbestos .

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer affects about 3% of all female cancer patients; it kills more women than any other type of female reproductive cancer. Many of the documented cases are from women who reported that their husbands or fathers worked with asbestos. Once a woman is exposed, asbestos fibers travel to the lymphatic system, causing significant damage to her body.

To treat ovarian cancer, patients must undergo chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or hormone or targeted therapy. The likelihood of a patient surviving ovarian cancer from all types and stages is close to 45%, whereas a case caught in the early stages has a 90% survival rate.

Laryngeal Cancer

Commonly called larynx cancer, experts believe laryngeal cancer develops through the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption. Another likely cause of laryngeal cancer is asbestos exposure, which happens when a patient inhales asbestos fibers, which get lodged in the patient’s voice box.

Although this health issue isn’t well-known, there are treatment options such as chemo and radiation therapy. If a tumor is discovered early, the chance for recovery through treatment is likely: the cure percentage is between 75 and 95 percent.

Asbestosis

After long-term exposure to asbestos fibers, many patients report severe lung problems later in life. Symptoms may not show until 15 years later, occurring after enough scar tissue has built up to harden the lungs and limit their elasticity. Asbestosis patients experience difficult and painful breathing, which results from scar tissue that limits oxygen to the lungs. Your doctor can give you an oxygen tank and medication to control symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure.

Clubbed Fingers

Clubbed fingers are a condition that develops in patients with severe asbestosis. When this situation occurs, patients develop misshaped fingers that appear swollen and box like. The disease develops through the biological effects of asbestosis instead of directly from asbestos fibers. It grows early, and in severe asbestosis cases, it’s the first sign that one has acute asbestosis.

Mesothelioma

Like asbestosis, mesothelioma can take some time to emerge. The cancerous disease often won’t appear until 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Common symptoms often get mistaken for less serious illnesses. However, if you frequently experience chest pains, shortness of breath, or fatigue, you need medical attention. The options for mesothelioma treatment largely depend on the form you have, but treatments vary between surgery and radiation therapy.

Asbestos is a material that can cause severe health problems. To protect yourself and your family, reach out to Air Safe, Inc. to schedule asbestos testing and removal in order to combat these different health issues that can stem from asbestos.