Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
Everyone knows that both asbestos and smoking cause lung cancer. When, however, a history of cigarette smoking
is combined with a history of occupational exposure to asbestos, a
person is at a much higher risk for developing lung cancer than if he or
she was only exposed to asbestos or only smoked cigarettes.
The most common asbestos cancers, like mesothelioma, are found in present or ex-smokers who have occupational exposure to asbestos such as workers in aluminum plants, oil refineries and chemical plants.
X-ray is often first indication, pathology from biopsy, or operation, generally required for confirmation of disease.
If a person has a lung condition which shows significant exposure to asbestos, e.g. asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma, certain other cancers may also be related to asbestos exposure. For example: colon cancer, larynx cancer, esophagus cancer and pharynx cancer.