Lung cancer is a quickly progressing cancer. The two main types are: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to the American Cancer Society. If you have SCLC, the odds are that it has already spread from the lungs into other areas once you are diagnosed. Some subtypes of NSCLC have similar trajectories.
Lung cancer can start with a persistent, chronic cough, and evolve into a cough that eventually produces blood and pain throughout the chest area. When a person sees and feels symptoms of lung cancer, the best thing to do is to get immediate treatment.
Recognizing early trouble signs for lung cancer can mean the difference between life and death. The odds are better of beating lung cancer for a person when medical care is started at the first signs of symptoms.
Lung Cancer Overview
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 228,000 new lung cancer cases in the U.S. in 2020. About 60% of those cases will result in death.
The top reason why people get lung cancer is from smoking, both ingesting directly into the lungs and inhaling smoke on a secondhand basis. Other ways that people can get lung cancer is from exposure to asbestos, radon, and other toxic substances.
Catching Lung Cancer Symptoms Early
Lung cancer often is missed in early detection, partly because there are few nerve endings in the lungs. Symptoms may not be seen until after the cancer has advanced. If a person can spot symptoms of lung cancer early enough, this could open more treatment options for the person.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some common symptoms of lung cancer could include:
- A persistent, worsening or chronic cough
- A blood-emitting cough
- Bone pain
- Everyday shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite or unaccounted loss of weight
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it’s crucial to see a doctor immediately. Finding lung cancer in its early stages can help in determining the right treatments for someone.
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Types of Lung Cancer
SCLC is a mixture of small cell carcinoma and small cell/large cell cancer, occurring in less than a quarter of all lung cancers. People who get SCLC are usually smokers, and their treatment usually involves chemotherapy.
NSCLC is more common, occurring within 85% of lung cancers. Three main types of cancer are in NSCLC: Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Asbestos Exposure
Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. This can happen from working in factories, where asbestos products are used in manufacturing processes. Inhaling asbestos particles is how lung cancer can take root. Tiny fibers from asbestos can get lodged in a person’s lung tissue area, and over time, these fibers start to cause cellular damage, which eventually turns the lungs cancerous.
The big issue with getting lung cancer from asbestos is that there is often a very long latency period from the time a person is exposed to asbestos and the time when their cancer is revealed. Sometimes, this latency period can last decades.
Years ago, asbestos work in factories was common. Late last century, many workers were exposed to asbestos and brought thousands of lawsuits against the company, leading to its bankruptcy in the early 00s.
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Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits
Once the asbestos inside a person’s lungs causes the advancement of cancer, it’s almost always very late to get preventable treatment. If someone has suffered over the years from cancer because of exposure to asbestos and can prove it, the person may be able to gain a financial settlement against the asbestos producer for damages.
A legal team can help you gather the paperwork necessary to prove that you were exposed to asbestos, that your cancer was a direct result of being exposed to asbestos fibers, and that the manufacturer or insurance company was negligent in its duties.
Companies that have produced asbestos may have declared bankruptcy, but there may be a special fund used for cancer lawsuits from their asbestos production.
To participate in a lawsuit for damages, a person living with cancer or one of their loved ones must be able to:
- Present medical records that show a diagnosis for lung cancer arising from asbestos-related issues.
- Release a statement from a certified doctor to verify the diagnosis and treatments.
- Present evidence about the repeated asbestos exposure from the defendant’s work facilities and work processes.
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Getting Legal Help for a Lung Cancer Lawsuit
Gathering this medical and work-related information can be hard for most people. That is why teams of legal professionals can help. An asbestos litigation lawyer can look into your case, conduct due diligence, and file a claim on your behalf.
If you have been suffering from lung cancer conditions and have wondered how fast does lung cancer develops, then see your doctor for a diagnosis. If it turns out you have lung cancer related to your asbestos exposure, we might be able to help you.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will not charge you for an initial consultation. We will listen to your story, verify your records, and learn more about your particular asbestos-related cancer case. We want to help you seek a potential financial settlement against the defendant for your losses incurred from contracting cancer. Call us today at (800) 217-6099.
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