Asbestos Lung Cancer

Veterans and Asbestos Lung Cancer Risk

U.S. veterans have a higher-than-average risk of asbestos lung cancer, as the military used asbestos for decades in bases, vehicles, ships, and other products. Asbestos was favored by the military because it was cheap, flame-resistant, and thought to be safe.

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes the extreme dangers posed by asbestos exposure. Veterans with lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases may qualify for many VA benefits, ranging from monthly payouts to medical care.

Our free veterans packet offers more information about benefits and compensation for asbestos lung cancer.

How Does Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer?

If asbestos-based products are damaged or wear out, they release tiny fibers into the air. Those nearby can inhale the fibers into their lungs. Asbestos fibers that are lodged in the lungs cannot be removed by the human body. Instead, the fibers burrow into the lung tissue and damage the cells. This can eventually turn healthy cells into cancerous ones.

It often takes 20-50 years for asbestos to trigger the growth of cancerous tumors.

Those with a long history of asbestos exposure, such as those who served as military shipyard workers or boiler tenders, have the greatest risk of getting sick. These service members worked around this deadly material every day for months or even years.

Veterans also have an increased risk of asbestos lung cancer if they smoke or smoked in the past. A recent study from the international Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggested that asbestos amplifies the lung damage caused by smoking cigarettes.

“Many studies have shown that the combination of tobacco smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly hazardous. However, there is also evidence that quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer among asbestos-exposed workers.”

– National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Lung Cancer vs Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure doesn’t always cause lung cancer — there are a number of asbestos-related diseases someone can be diagnosed with. One of the most notable is malignant mesothelioma.

Unlike lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma tumors can develop in the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), testes (tunica vaginalis), or heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma tumors do not start in the lungs themselves.

Also unlike lung cancer, asbestos exposure is the only known risk factor linked to mesothelioma. Smoking is not known to increase the risks of getting mesothelioma.

However, both asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma can be deadly without treatment. If you or a loved one has possible symptoms of these cancers, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnosing Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos

To diagnose lung cancer, your doctor will first gather basic health information about you and your symptoms. From there, they will perform imaging scans of your chest cavity and lungs to look for cancerous tumors.

Imaging scans used to help diagnose lung cancer include chest X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans.

These imaging scans can also identify other pleural diseases — such as pleural plaques or pleural thickening (a painful inflammation of the lung lining) — that may mean someone has been exposed to asbestos.

If a doctor finds a potentially cancerous tumor using these tests, they’ll likely perform a biopsy, which involves extracting a fluid or tissue sample. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that someone has lung cancer.

Doctors often use a bronchoscopy to take a biopsy. During this procedure, doctors insert a small tube down the throat and into the lungs where a tiny sample is then removed. The patient is under anesthesia during this time. Doctors then send the sample off to a lab to have it analyzed.

Prognosis for Asbestos Lung Cancer

If a biopsy confirms the presence of lung cancer, doctors can then offer a prognosis, which is the expected outcome of a disease. Lung cancer has a generally poor prognosis.

A study published by Cancer Science found that patients with asbestos lung cancer had an average survival time of 17.4 months. 57% of patients were still alive 1 year after diagnosis, and 25% were alive after 5 years.

These statistics weren’t much different from those with non-asbestos or general lung cancer. The same study reported that general lung cancer patients lived for 19.2 months on average. While more of these patients were alive a year after diagnosis (70%), less were alive 5 years later (24.5%).

Rough estimates show that 130,000 to 160,000 people died of asbestos-related lung cancer over a 15-year period, according to data analyzed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Thankfully, a prognosis is not set in stone. With proper health care and treatments, patients may be able to outlive an initially poor prognosis.

Can you survive asbestos lung cancer?

Yes. It may be possible to achieve long-term survival, even if a veteran develops lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos.

The VA’s official blog reported on a U.S. Navy veteran who developed lung cancer after smoking for decades and being exposed to asbestos while he served. As of 2021, this veteran was still alive 15 years after his diagnosis.

Getting diagnosed and treated before your cancer has spread are key steps to help you live longer with asbestos lung cancer.

What types of lung cancer can asbestos cause?

Asbestos can cause any type of lung cancer. This includes cases of small cell lung cancer and types of non-small cell lung cancers, like adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Thankfully, treatments are available for any type of asbestos-related lung cancer.

Can I pursue legal action if I developed asbestos lung cancer?

It may be possible to pursue legal action — such as an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit or trust fund claim — after a diagnosis. Contact our team today to learn if you may qualify for legal aid.