When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can cause cancer risks, such as numerous respiratory conditions including mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, as well as lung cancer. A recent study in France, however, reveals that there may be a connection between asbestos exposure and other types of cancer.
The study, published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, examined data from 2,024 workers at a French asbestos plant who were employed between 1978 and 2009. As expected, the workers’ asbestos exposure resulted in a higher than normal incidence of mesothelioma. Researchers were surprised to find, however, that the workers experienced digestive cancers, such as those affecting the esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, at a rate 50% higher than populations without prolonged asbestos exposure. Of the workers surveyed, 119 of them were diagnosed with a form of digestive cancer.
Risks Varied for Workers Depending on Gender
Colorectal cancer in particular showed a significant association with asbestos exposure lasting more than 25 years. The link was most significant in men, who also presented a higher risk for esophageal, small intestine and liver cancers. There was a smaller number of women in the study group, but they demonstrated an increased risk of peritoneal mesothelioma, an even rarer form of mesothelioma affecting the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is the most dangerous form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, as most conventional treatment methods will not stop the disease’s progression. Any of these cancers can be deadly, and many of these diagnoses are preventable if proper safety measures are taken when handling asbestos. Often, an asbestos-related disease diagnosis is the result of an employer’s negligence.
Philadelphia Asbestos Lawyers at Shein Law Aggressively Pursue Justice for Asbestos-Related Disease Victims
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, digestive cancer or another asbestos-related disease, call Shein Law immediately. Our knowledgeable, experienced Philadelphia asbestos lawyers can help determine who is at fault for your asbestos exposure and hold that party accountable to get you the compensation you deserve. With offices conveniently located in Center City, Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we help asbestos exposure victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us today at 1-877-SHEIN-LAW (743-4652) or contact us online to discuss the facts of your case with a qualified asbestos lawyer.