Asbestos exposure causes several serious diseases including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and non-malignant pleural diseases. All asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods, typically appearing 20 to 50 years after initial exposure.
Mesothelioma
A rare, aggressive cancer caused exclusively by asbestos exposure. Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with a median survival of 12-21 months.
Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk by approximately 5x in non-smokers. For smokers exposed to asbestos, the synergistic risk is 50-90x — a multiplicative effect.
Asbestosis
A progressive, non-malignant scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos fiber accumulation. Not cancer, but significantly impairs breathing and can be fatal.
Pleural Plaques and Thickening
Non-malignant pleural diseases include pleural plaques (localized scarring) and diffuse pleural thickening.
Other Cancers Linked to Asbestos
- Ovarian cancer (classified by IARC as caused by asbestos)
- Laryngeal cancer
- Pharyngeal cancer