Lung Cancer can be the Result of Smoking or Asbestos Exposure:
A lung cancer diagnosis can be devastating to hear. If you know you were exposed to asbestos in the past, you might have been concerned that you could have lung cancer. You may have even been undergoing health and lung screenings. But what if you’re also a smoker or used to smoke? Combining smoking with lung cancer increases your chances of developing lung cancer more than 28-fold. So, if you’re facing a lung cancer diagnosis, you may wonder if your asbestos exposure caused your cancer or if smoking is the culprit.
Asbestos Exposure and Lung Cancer
Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can lead to many chronic health conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. People exposed to asbestos are five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who aren’t exposed. Unfortunately, lung cancer and mesothelioma, cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen, can take decades to develop after asbestos exposure. As a result, many people aren’t diagnosed until the later stages of the disease, making treatment more challenging.
What if I Also Smoke?
Both smoking and asbestos exposure can lead to cancer. According to the CDC, smoking is linked to upwards of 80% of lung cancer cases. People who smoke are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop or die from lung cancer. However, if you’re a smoker and you’ve been exposed to asbestos, you can increase your odds of developing cancer even more. According to scientific studies, exposure to both asbestos and cigarette smoke can increase your chance of developing lung cancer and accelerate the onset and severity of symptoms.
Fortunately, you can still recover compensation for asbestos exposure if there’s strong evidence that the asbestos is the likely culprit.
A doctor can examine your lungs for the presence of asbestos fibers, which is the best evidence that asbestos caused your cancer.
You Need an Experienced Attorney
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one are facing cancer related to asbestos exposure. The Madeksho Law Firm asbestos legal team can guide you through the process and ensure you get what you deserve. Call us at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your first consultation is always free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover compensation for you.
