Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Asbestos seems to have a split personality. While it’s a naturally occurring mineral that is heat-, chemical-, and fire-resistant, asbestos is also a cancer-causing agent that you should avoid. 

The problem is that products for soundproofing, insulation, fireproofing, and roofing used to contain asbestos. It’s only been in the past few decades that there’s been a connection between asbestos exposure and severe health complications. The most serious health complication stemming from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

So, asbestos is something you need to know about. Here are five specific things to consider.

1. All Kinds of Asbestos Can Cause Cancer

Asbestos exposure can lead to cancer. In fact, all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic, so there’s a real risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, colorectal cancer, and other types of cancer. That’s one reason to take asbestos dangers seriously. 

One problem is that symptoms often mimic the symptoms of less severe health issues. And it’s also worth noting that symptoms of something like mesothelioma can take decades to materialize after initial asbestos exposure. Tobacco use — combined with asbestos exposure — can also increase cancer risks. By the time a doctor makes a diagnosis, there’s often little they can do.

2. Asbestos Exposure Risks Are Higher for People in Certain Industries

There was a time when materials used in homes contained asbestos. People in the home and structure renovation industry face higher risks, since they may have dealt with materials in the space. But those aren’t the only people with heightened risks. People in sectors like ship repair, construction, car repair, smelting, pulp and paper, and refining also face higher risks since they likely handled or worked around products with asbestos. 

Of course, the U.S. banned asbestos decades ago, so people in higher-risk industries will likely only be at risk if they worked in these sectors before the asbestos ban.

3. It Usually Takes Decades for Cancer to Develop After Asbestos Exposure

One reason to be careful about asbestos exposure is it can take 10 to 40 years after exposure to get cancer. Most people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after it’s already reached an advanced stage, which means there are limited options to treat patients. 

That’s not to say that treatment can’t make a difference. It can help to give the patient a longer life expectancy. But it’s worth noting that life expectancy after a diagnosis usually falls in the 18-to-24-month range — even after treatment.  It’s a rare form of cancer with no cure. Considering that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, your best bet is to avoid exposure.

4. Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure Is Possible

Another problem to be aware of is the potential for second-hand exposure to asbestos fibers. So, if you live in the same house with someone working in a space where asbestos is present, you face contamination risks. Asbestos fibers can dislodge from one person’s clothing and become airborne. Once you breathe in these fibers, this second-hand asbestos exposure can cause issues.

5. Various Symptoms May Point to Asbestos-Related Cancer

You must know about symptoms that may point to diseases related to asbestos exposure. Common symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and chest pain. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and experience any of these symptoms, contact your primary healthcare provider.

These are five things about asbestos exposure that you should know about. Asbestos is nothing to fool around with. Going in for screening tests and following up if there are any problems down the road will give you a fighting chance.