People often have cancer for years and do not know that they are ill. In some cases, a person who has lung cancer does not experience any symptoms and the disease is first detected when the individual undergoes an imaging test for an unrelated medical reason.
Causes of Lung Cancer
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, more than 200,000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Most people associate lung cancer with smoking, but many patients who are diagnosed with the illness quit smoking long before they became ill or never smoked at all.
Lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos and radon. People who come into contact with those substances are often unaware that they are in danger. If those individuals do not smoke, they may believe that they are not at risk of developing cancer and may not be screened for it.
How People Can Be Exposed to Asbestos and Radon
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were mined and used for decades to produce construction materials, automotive parts, fireproof equipment, and a wide range of household products, including cigarette filters, appliances, cosmetics, and holiday decorations. In some cases, companies continued to sell products containing asbestos even after learning of its dangers.
People who suffered exposure to asbestos on the job, such as construction workers, mechanics, and firefighters, were often unaware of the risk and were not provided with protective equipment. Workers were often exposed to the carcinogen on a daily basis for years. Their family members may have also been put in harm’s way. When workers brought asbestos fibers home on their bodies and clothing, their relatives could come into contact with the carcinogen and later develop cancer.
The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry reports that the likelihood that a person who suffered exposure to asbestos will develop cancer depends on several factors. This includes the amount, duration, and frequency of exposure; whether the person smoked; and how old the person was at the time of exposure. Those who suffered exposure to a large amount of asbestos in a short period of time or who were exposed to it at moderate levels over a longer period of time are more likely to later develop cancer than individuals with more limited exposure.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium and other elements break down in rocks, soil, and water. People who live or work in basements may be unknowingly exposed to radon for years and may develop lung cancer much later. Although radon testing is simple and inexpensive and could protect residents and employees, building owners and landlords often fail to test for the carcinogen.
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The Prognosis if Cancer Is Detected Late
A tumor that begins growing in a lung can shed cancer cells. If those cells are carried elsewhere via the lymph nodes or bloodstream, the cancer can metastasize and affect other parts of the body. A person’s likelihood of survival depends on the type of cancer, its stage at the time of diagnosis, and whether it spread to other areas. Cancer that metastasized is generally more difficult to treat.
You May Be Entitled to Financial Compensation for Your Cancer
If you received a diagnosis of lung cancer, you may have had cancer for years without knowing it. You may have suffered exposure to a carcinogen, such as asbestos or radon, long before you became ill. If your exposure occurred because of the actions or negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to a financial award to compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our firm represents thousands of people all over the United States who are victims of personal injuries. If you suffered exposure to asbestos or radon, we may be able to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit to seek an award for your injuries.
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Reach Out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
We understand that a lung cancer diagnosis most likely led to a stack of medical bills and left you unable to work. Your family may be struggling to make ends meet, and you may think that you could not possibly afford to hire a lawyer.
You do not have to worry about that. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis. That means that clients who come to us seeking help with a personal injury case do not have to pay for anything unless we secure financial compensation for them. Call our office at (800) 217-6099 to talk to a member of our staff about how we may be able to help you.
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