Lung cancer resulting from asbestos exposure commonly presents with coughing of blood-stained sputum and breathlessness
It is diagnosed on the basis of chest X-ray, CT scan and bronchoscopy: that is an examination of the airways of the lungs with a special flexible telescope passed up the nose and down into the lungs under local anaesthesia.
It is treated in the same way as lung cancer caused by smoking with surgery to remove it if possible, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
It can be cured by treatment in about 10% of cases. Otherwise, the average survival is around one year.
Asbestos and Smoking
- Asbestos causes the same types of lung cancer as are caused by smoking.
- The two hazards of smoking and asbestos act together to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer (HSE)
Heavy asbestos exposure is necessary to cause lung cancer. Light exposure which is sufficient to cause mesothelioma may not be enough to cause lung cancer. Detailed consideration of the history of exposure in the individual case is necessary to decide whether it is likely that asbestos played a part in causing lung cancer.
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Asbestos-related Lung Cancer Compensation & Benefits
To satisfy the criteria for lung cancer, you must either be suffering from lung cancer and asbestosis or primary lung cancer with significant occupational exposure to asbestos within a very narrow range of occupations.
Source: Dr Robin Rudd, MA MD FRCP, Consultant Oncologist. Reviewed by Dr Robin Rudd: March 2017