Asbestos represents a group of minerals which are silicate compounds, such as bundles or fibers that contain silicon and oxygen atoms in their molecular structure. It has been said for quite some time now that overexposure to asbestos can lead to health hazards, such as cancer. Whether you are exposed to asbestos in your home, workplace or community, the risk of developing asbestos cancer is high. Unfortunately, asbestos cancer is responsible for the death of thousands of people every year. Even though it is a rare type of cancer, asbestos cancer is extremely dangerous.

Asbestos cancer is also known as mesothelioma. However, this association is somehow wrong, because asbestos cancer can be also linked to lung, colon, colorectal, rectal, laryngeal or throat cancer. Nevertheless, mesothelioma is the only type of cancer which is directly related to asbestos and caused by it. You are more likely to develop this type of asbestos cancer is you have inhaled or ingested large amounts of asbestos over the years, which can cause the formation of malignant tumors in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity. Regarding the other type of cancers related to asbestos cancer, exposure to asbestos may be just one of the many causes which trigger them, but not necessarily the main one. Researchers are still trying hard to figure out the extent to which asbestos can cause them. Recent studies point out to the association of asbestos cancer with gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers.

There are some factors which can determine whether asbestos exposure can lead to asbestos cancer. These are the dose, duration, size, shape, chemical makeup of asbestos fibers, sources of exposure, and individual risk factors, such as smoking or other lung diseases. However, diagnosing asbestos cancer can be quite difficult, considering that the symptoms may not develop for even decades after the exposure. The most common symptoms of the rare asbestos cancer are shortness of breath, persistent cough, blood in the fluid from the lungs, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, swallowing difficulties, neck or face swelling, fatigue and anemia. Should you experience any of these symptoms, a visit to the doctor is advisable.