Despite recent advancements in medical technology, lung cancer is still one of the most dangerous diseases today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer accounts for the majority of cancer fatalities. This reality leads people to wonder why lung cancer is so deadly.
It can be challenging to detect lung cancer in its early stages. Symptoms of the disease are usually not apparent early on, and once they manifest, it often means cancer already has spread or metastasized throughout the body. Additionally, the symptoms of lung cancer may also be similar to those of other infections affecting the respiratory system. The outcome can be a misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than half of lung cancer cases are in the advanced stages when diagnosed, and the survival rate in these instances is low.
Different qualities make lung cancer one of the top killers in the country today. If you wish to learn more about lung cancer as an occupational hazard or a consequence of using carcinogenic products, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099. You may have a case for compensation.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Usually, the life cycle of cells prevents their overgrowth. When a person has cancer, healthy cells can undergo mutations and multiply unnaturally. Lung cancer develops when the number of abnormal, cancerous cells increases uncontrollably in the lungs. Tumors then grow from these lumps of cells and make it difficult for a person to breathe.
Risk Factors Involved with Lung Cancer
Anything that raises the chances of getting a disease can be a risk factor; however, it does not mean that possessing a risk factor will make you develop the disease. Some risk factors like medical history or age cannot be changed, while some are preventable. When it comes to cancer of the lungs, smoking is the leading risk factor. The risk increases the more cigarettes you use and the longer you smoke.
Other risk factors connected with lung cancer include radon and asbestos exposure. Naturally occurring radon is a gas that comes from uranium in rocks and soil and is virtually invisible, odorless, and tasteless. Buildings and homes in the U.S. can have elevated indoor radon levels, which are dangerous for those who breathe in the gas. For non-smokers, radon is the primary cause of lung cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Asbestos is a toxic substance that can significantly increase your risk of developing lung cancer if when exposed to it for an extended time. For the most part, asbestos is not dangerous as long as it does not become airborne. However, those who work with the substance are more likely to have lung cancer, or another type of cancer called mesothelioma. Talc, in its natural form, could also contain asbestos, so workers exposed to this mineral or consumers who use products containing talc may have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
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What Are Some Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
Although signs of lung cancer ordinarily do not appear in the early stages, the following can still indicate the presence of the disease, according to Mayo Clinic:
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplainable weight loss
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Cough with blood
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Wheezing
It is best to consult your physician when you experience these symptoms. Even if they arise due to a respiratory infection, it is better to err on the side of caution. Remember that lung cancer can be challenging to treat in later stages but can be cured more successfully in the early stages.
How Do Lung Injuries in the Workplace Come About?
There are instances when lung cancer may also be considered a workplace injury, and you may be entitled to receive compensation when this happens. Inhalation of harmful substances like asbestos, radon, metal fumes, coal, diesel exhaust fumes, and chemical vapors can cause workplace lung injuries.
Those who continuously come in contact with these hazardous materials and chemicals include miners, shipyard workers, construction workers, textile workers, welders, and others who spend a considerable amount of time in basements. Lung cancer can take years to develop, some as long as 25 years after exposure to carcinogenic substances.
Reach Out to Our Attorneys If You Believe You Have Been Exposed to Dangerous Chemicals
We at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understand the impact lung cancer can have on your life. People can understand why lung cancer is so deadly, but the high medical cost that they can incur is not always apparent until after they become financially overwhelmed by the disease.
There is no reason you should shoulder the expenses when another party is responsible for your disease or injury. Regardless of how you became exposed to hazardous substances such as asbestos or radon, we can work with you to determine if you have a case. Our attorneys will help you discover your legal options when liability is present.
Contact our office today at (800) 217-6099 to discuss your concerns with a member of our team. We are available to take your call 24/7, and we can review your case for free.
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