Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms

Because asbestos fibers remain in the body so long, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may only appear decades after the asbestos has been inhaled. Common symptoms of an asbestos-related cancer include:

• Shortness of breath
• A cough or a change in cough pattern
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
• Significant weight loss

If any of these symptoms develop and you believe you may have worked with--or been around someone who has worked with--asbestos, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.

Diagnosis

Once you have contacted your physician and explained your symptoms, the doctor may perform a complete physical examination. This may include a chest x-ray and lung function tests. While a chest x-ray cannot determine whether there are asbestos fibers in the lungs, it can help determine whether your lungs may have changed due to asbestos exposure. A x-ray specialist in asbestos-related diseases may be required to examine and interpret your x-rays.

If an abnormal area is found through the x-ray, you may need to have a biopsy to learn if that area is cancerous. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncogolgist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a tissue sample. Then this sample is examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Because asbestos fibers can be found in urine, feces, mucus, or material from the lungs, you may have to undergo additional testing to determine the scope of your condition.

I have been diagnosed with an asbestos cancer, what now?

One of the first things to consider is finding a specialist to help your research and decide on treatments. Often the physician providing the diagnosis is unfamiliar with the relatively rare cancers caused by asbestos and cannot provide the hope and help that a practiced specialist who regularly treats asbestos cancer patients can. Learn more about the various treatments available for asbestos cancers.

You may also wish to contact a lawyer who specializes in asbestos lawsuits; the companies that manufactured products containing asbestos knew the dangers decades before adequately warning and protecting their employees and compensation may be available to you and your family.