How to Know If You Have Asbestos Cancer

According to asbestos.net, "People who worked in industries that relied heavily on asbestos use are 90 percent more likely to develop lung ailments than people who do not smoke or have not been exposed to asbestos." Asbestos exposure is second to smoking in causing lung cancer. Asbestos is very harmful because it can be airborne, which leads to easy inhalation. There are several forms of this commercial insulation material. Serpentine, chrysotile, and amosite are a few. Asbestos leads to other harmful conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for symptoms akin to typical illnesses like the flu. These can include persistent cough, hoarseness, sudden weight loss or breathing difficulty. Check for bodily reactions you never noticed, like blood in spit and wheezing. Understand that symptoms might not always be present with asbestos cancer. Take note of the consistency of any sign or symptom.

• 2

  Ask your co-workers and housemates whether they have similar symptoms. Get professional help to check your workplace and home for asbestos. Leave any items, if infected, where they are, because asbestos is easily dispersed. Professionals check the air for particles that contain asbestos and for anything that might be asbestos-laden.

• 3

  Consult a physician and take an imaging test like a chest X-ray, an MRI, a CAT scan or a PET scan. Undergo a diagnostic test like a biopsy or blood test to verify. Tests are the surest and safest way to know whether you have asbestos cancer.