Often, stage 4 lung cancer is terminal, and it represents the most advanced form of lung cancer. The National Institutes of Health found that the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer sits between 2 to 5%.
Terminal lung cancer means that the cancer has spread from the lungs into other areas of the body, often including other vital organs. Treatment options generally focus on extending life and ensuring the patient’s quality of life.
Catching Lung Cancer As Soon As Possible
Many patients with lung cancer ignore or miss symptoms, and these tendencies can allow the illness to grow more serious without intervention. Knowing the signs of lung cancer and seeking medical attention may help if you experience any lung cancer symptoms, such as ones listed from Mayo Clinic:
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Persistent headaches.
- Hoarseness.
- Bone pain.
- Coughing up blood.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- A persistent cough.
Smokers are not the only ones who develop lung cancer. If you have never smoked or only rarely smoked, these symptoms could still signal lung cancer. Seek medical attention, even if just to rule out the possibility of lung cancer.
Exposure to Certain Substances Also Causes Lung Cancer
Often carcinogenic substances in the air go undetected, and those who breathe them live at risk of developing lung cancer. Asbestos and radon gas are the two primary causes of lung cancer in nonsmokers. As an example, radon gas kills between 15,00 and 22,000 lung cancer patients each year, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Radon Gas Is Undetectable to the Senses
Radon gas occurs when uranium breaks down in rocks, soil, or water. It is especially dangerous because it has no smell or color. You could breathe radon gas for years without realizing it if you do not conduct radon tests at regular periods.
People responsible for radon testing may include:
- An employer.
- A building owner.
- A landlord.
- A municipality.
If you have spent time in buildings where radon testing never or rarely occurred, your lung cancer may have resulted from exposure to radon gas.
Asbestos Accumulates in Homes
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that many homes and other buildings built before 1970 contain some level of asbestos. Asbestos becomes dangerous when its fibers fall into the air, as they can cause scarring in the lungs. This scarring can then lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis, or different forms of lung cancer. Each of these conditions can result in death, particularly if you only diagnosis your cancer in its later stages.
Asbestos, a material primarily used in insulation, can put those who work closely with insulation at an increased risk of exposure. These groups may include:
- Homebuilders and other construction workers.
- Demolition crews.
- Those who work in attics.
If you receive a diagnosis of lung cancer, asbestos in your home or place of work may have caused your cancer.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
You May Be Eligible for Compensation
A lawyer may help you hold a liable party accountable for the asbestos or radon exposure that has led to your cancer. If your cancer is in its later stages, your case may fall under the wrongful death category. Possible awards in a wrongful death may cover:
- Medical costs incurred before death.
- Lost wages and financial protection for the family of the deceased.
- Loss of companionship for the spouse of the deceased.
- Loss of parental guidance for children of the deceased.
- Funeral costs.
- Pain and suffering.
Whether your case involves a wrongful death or not, you could be eligible to collect compensation for lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos or radon gas.
Call Our Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our lawyers may help you when it comes to collecting any evidence of wrongdoing or negligence and completing all legal steps necessary while abiding by all relevant statutes of limitation. You pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket, and we only collect fees if we secure your compensation. Call us at (800) 217-6099 to discuss your case.
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