The American Cancer Society estimates about 235,000 new lung cancer cases will be reported in 2024 and those exposed to high-risk carcinogens will comprise between 9% to 15% of these new cases.”
Please contact Wites & Rogers today schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation and consultation with an experienced lung cancer attorney at Wites & Rogers.
Lung cancer develops when cells within the lung rapidly multiply, creating a tumor. These cancerous cells harm the healthy lung tissue, impeding the lungs’ ability to function optimally. Although this cancer originates in the lungs, its symptoms often remain undetected until it has metastasized to other areas of the body, making treatment more challenging at that stage.
Risk of lung cancer increases with exposure to pollutants and carcinogens that are found in the worksite, in the home, and in the air.
In fact, employees in specific occupations with access to high-risk carcinogens like asbestos and combustion fumes are at a greater risk for developing cancer. The list that follows includes occupations with potential exposure to asbestos:
When people in these professions came home from work, the cancer causing agents that landed on their clothing at work could cause cancer in those who touched them or were exposed to them at home.
People who worked in these jobs and their family members should consider seeing a doctor for lung cancer screening.
The National Cancer Institute first confirmed that asbestos causes lung cancer in 1942. Inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to an increased chance of developing lung cancer and, the greater the exposure, the higher those odds climb. Most who develop the disease are asymptomatic for the first 10 to 15 years making it difficult to detect early.
Between 1940 and 1979, nearly 27 million Americans were exposed to asbestos on the job. Occupations that relied on insulation, such as auto repair and construction, utilized asbestos. Shipbuilders, HVAC, industrial, textiles, machinery, firefighters, and mining are some of many industries that have unknowingly put workers at risk.
It did not take long to establish as fact that people exposed to asbestos have a heightened risk of developing lung cancer; nearly 35,000 people die each year from lung cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure.
As evidence of the health risks of asbestos mounted, protective measures were put in place. Protocol has been established, for example, in the construction industry, among others. Overall, there has been a sizable decline in asbestos use and exposure in the U.S. since the 1970s, but despite this, the fallout from asbestos is still cause for alarm.
Lung cancer primarily manifests in two main forms:
The Lung Carcinoid Tumor is a rare type makes up less than 1-2% of lung cancers.
The most prevalent symptoms of lung cancer include:
Similar to mesothelioma and asbestosis, asbestos-induced lung cancer exhibits a prolonged latency period. So, the symptoms above might now show up for years or decades after exposure to cancer causing agents.
It’s understandable to mistake lung cancer symptoms for other health issues, potentially delaying diagnosis. To identify lung cancer, doctors may employ various tests, including.
This test involves analyzing mucus coughed up from the lungs to detect the presence of cancerous cells.
Often the first diagnostic tool used, a chest X-ray can reveal lung tumors.
A CT scan offers a more detailed view of the lungs compared to a standard X-ray.
This procedure entails extracting a small tissue sample from the lungs for microscopic examination to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Lung cancer symptoms typically don’t appear until the later stages of the disease. The stage of lung cancer is determined by factors like:
To pinpoint the stage of lung cancer, doctors may utilize various methods:
Catching lung cancer early significantly boosts a person’s treatment options and survival prospects. Low-dose CT scans offer a screening tool for high-risk individuals, including those with a history of asbestos exposure.
When lung cancer is finally diagnosed, it often has already metastasized to other areas of the body, complicating its treatment. While current treatments haven’t achieved a 100% success rate in eradicating all forms of lung cancer, there is care available at every stage of the disease to alleviate symptoms.
Wites & Rogers does not dispense medical guidance, and the choice of the most suitable treatment options for each case should be a discussion between the patient and their healthcare professionals.
Some of the possible treatments for lung cancer include:
A majority of individuals who undergo surgery for lung cancer have a lobectomy, a surgical operation where the lobe of the lung harboring the cancer is excised.
Those diagnosed with lung cancer may opt for radiation treatment as an alternative to surgery, or before or after the procedure. This treatment can also be paired with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy involves the use of medications to destroy cancer cells. Patients may decide to receive chemotherapy alone or in conjunction with radiation treatment and/or surgical procedures.
For non-small cell lung cancer that has metastasized, physicians might propose targeted therapy. This method can inhibit the proliferation and dissemination of lung cancer cells.
Since 2001, Wites & Rogers has helped many families obtain the justice they deserve. The firm has a record of procuring substantial jury rulings and settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sexual assault incidents, investment disagreements, and class actions.
If you’ve had prolonged exposure to asbestos and have been diagnosed with lung cancer, or if a loved one has passed away due to lung cancer, you might be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact our legal team at Wites & Rogers for a complimentary review of your case. Equip yourself and your loved ones with the insights and expertise offered by our adept asbestos lung cancer attorneys. We handle each case distinctively, with empathy and professionalism.
To get more details about your legal rights, or for a complimentary consultation, feel free to contact us at (866) 277-8631 or complete our online form. We would consider it a privilege to assist you.
