How Asbestos Exposure can lead to lung cancer
In West Virginia, workers have been exposed to asbestos in a variety of industries and workplace settings, including homes, schools, ships, factories, construction sites, mines, and industrial facilities.
The effects of the exposure may not show up for 15 to 60 years. By the time symptoms appear, the chances of recovery are often slim
Lung cancer has long been linked to asbestos exposure and can also result in mesothelioma, a form of cancer affecting the lining of the chest wall, lungs, and diaphragm (the pleura) or the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum).
Pleural disease may include a condition known as asbestosis, which affects the lungs and causes shortness of breath, produces coughing and damages the lungs permanently.
Evidence suggests that people diagnosed with pleural disease may be at increased risk for lung cancer. Pleural plaques, caused by changes in the membranes surrounding the lungs, may also be linked to mesothelioma.
Treatment can be costly — physically, emotionally and financially — for victims and their families. Strong legal representation by experienced attorneys is required for such cases in this niche area of the law.
Watch for symptoms
Adverse effects of inhaling harmful asbestos fibers may not become apparent for years, even decades, after exposure. If you experience the following symptoms, seek immediate medical help and share your exposure history. Symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or tightening in the chest
- Cough that worsens with time
- Coughed-up blood
- Neck or face swelling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite and weight loss Fatigue Anemia
Determining the extent of asbestos-related lung damage
Your medical professional may recommend a series of tests to determine the effects of asbestos on your lungs. These tests may include a chest X-ray. While an X-ray cannot indicate asbestos fiber in the lungs, it can help to identify early signs of lung disease.
Computed tomography (CT) scans produce pictures of the lungs from a variety of angles and can be effective in detecting lung abnormalities. The most effective test is a lung biopsy, which can identify asbestos fibers in lung tissue.
If you live in West Virginia and believe exposure to asbestos has damaged your lungs, get help from a medical professional and seek counsel from experienced attorneys.
Contact us and learn your legal options
If you or a loved one has contracted lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure, call a lung cancer attorney from the Prim Law Firm, at 304-201-2425 or contact us online today. You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover for you.
