In some cases, asbestos exposure can cause small cell lung cancer. It can also cause other types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the pleura that lines the lungs. Asbestos can also cause cancer of the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box).
In general, the higher a person’s asbestos exposure, the more likely they are to develop significant health concerns related to breathing in the deadly material. This includes cancers that occur in people who breathed in or swallowed asbestos fibers. There are clear links between asbestos-related cancers and all types of asbestos.
Risk Factors for Small Cell Lung Cancer Include Asbestos
According to the National Cancer Institute, the risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing small cell lung cancer include:
- Smoking, whether it is cigarettes, cigars, a tobacco pipe, or another type of product
- Regular exposure to secondhand smoke, such as living with a smoker
- Occupational exposures, including asbestos
- Exposure to soot, tar, arsenic, and other carcinogens
- Radiation exposure from previous cancer treatment, radon leaks, or other sources
- High levels of air pollution
- A family history of lung cancer
It is important to note that a person with previous asbestos exposure has a much higher likelihood of developing cancer if they smoke. Several decades ago, smoking was common in many of the trades where asbestos exposure was the highest, exponentially increasing the risk of lung cancer for many people.
There are also jobs that were at more risk for exposure than others. For example, if you held a job in the construction, demolition, or shipping industry, you might have worked in close quarters with asbestos without your knowledge. This is another factor to consider when determined if your small cell lung cancer was caused by asbestos.
Reducing Risk Factors for Developing Small Cell Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos
According to the American Cancer Society, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing asbestos-related cancer. Catching the disease early on can also improve your chances of survival. Current treatments for small cell lung cancer do not always cure the disease, so it is important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. This is difficult, however, because the disease can take 20 to 40 years to develop.
Discuss your history regarding asbestos exposure with your doctor and make regular appointments. Learn as much as you can about the symptoms of asbestos-related medical conditions and call your doctor at the first sign. Your doctor may also recommend regular:
- Chest X-rays
- CT scans
- Lung function tests
These tests may allow your doctor to spot signs of small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma, or a different kind of asbestos-related disease before it can grow and spread. This is key in getting a positive prognosis. In many cases, these types of cancers are not symptomatic until they advance. An early diagnosis may allow for more effective treatment of small cell lung cancer caused by asbestos.
More importantly, if you smoke, you should quit as soon as possible. Even if you have a long history of smoking and sustained high levels of asbestos exposure, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer by stopping.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
A Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosis May Support an Asbestos Settlement
If you were exposed to asbestos at any time and developed any kind of lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may be able to take legal action. You can join the asbestos mass tort, seeking damages to help pay for your treatment, related expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
There is money left in the asbestos trust fund to help pay awards for people who develop asbestos-related cancers. While many of the companies who produced asbestos products are now bankrupt, you may still be able to recover compensation from this trust fund.
You and your family should not have to pay for the expenses or suffer the losses related to your small cell lung cancer caused by asbestos alone.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Asbestos-Related Cancer Diagnosis
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer from occupational exposure, from the materials used to build your home, or from breathing in asbestos secondhand, you may be eligible to pursue a settlement for your losses. An attorney from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to reach an award on your behalf. We do not shy away from tough cases.
When you let us pursue your claim from the asbestos trust fund, we work on a contingency-fee basis. We only take our attorney’s fee once we successfully receive a settlement from the trust fund on your behalf.
To learn more about what we can do for you, speak with a member of our asbestos lung cancer team at (800) 217-6099.
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