Texas Asbestos Lawyer – Texas Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer from asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help pay for medical bills and provide financial security for your family. Call us today to get the facts. Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or use our online contact form and a Texas Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to answer your questions and discuss your possible claim. This is a free, no obligation case review and there are no legal fees unless you receive money at the end of the case. Time is limited, so please call today.
Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer
Asbestos Lung Cancer Statistics
Asbestos is a group of minerals that can be found naturally. They are bundles of fibers that can be separated and used as thin, durable threads. They are resistant to fire, heat, and a variety of chemicals. These minerals do not conduct electricity.
These “wonder minerals” have been widely used in various industries, with insulation being perhaps the most prevalent use. Its use increased dramatically during World War II, but its hazardous properties were discovered as early as the 1940s. The Consumer Product Safety Commission was the first governmental agency to ban the use of asbestos in the 1970s, but it only concerned wallboard patching and gas fireplaces. Use has gradually declined since that time.
The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) still estimates that over one million American workers still have significant asbestos exposure despite decreased use of the product.
The Link Between Asbestos and Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure can result in lung cancer. Working with or near asbestos or products that contain asbestos can release tiny fibers into the air. Individuals breathe in these fibers, and they can become trapped in the lungs. They can result in scarring, inflammation, and can affect an individual’s ability to breath over time.
The EPA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have all classified asbestos as a known human carcinogen. The most common type of cancer that results from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, an otherwise rare form of cancer that affects the lungs.
Perhaps the reason discovery of the link between lung cancer and asbestos took so long was due to the latent effects of the minerals. It takes roughly 15 to 35 years for cancer to develop after the exposure to asbestos. It has also been shown to be related to other types of cancers as well, including:
- Throat
- Kidney
- Esophagus
- Gallbladder
- Gastrointestinal
- Colorectal
- Ovarian
Asbestos Lung Cancer Statistics
Asbestos-related cancer affects approximately 4,800 each year, according to The Mesothelioma Center. Mesothelioma is almost entirely caused by asbestos exposure. Approximately 3,000 people are newly diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the United States. The greater the exposure, the higher the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk does not decrease over time; the cumulative exposure seems to be the most important factor in whether someone will develop lung cancer after asbestos exposure.
The average prognosis for asbestos-related cancer is 16.2 months, which is similar to non-asbestos related lung cancers. Approximately 25 percent of those diagnosed will live more than five years after diagnosis with treatment.