Incidence of Asbestos-Related Cancer

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) states that mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung and gastrointestinal cancers have claimed as many as 230,000 lives between 1979 and 2001. The following chart reflects the EWG’s yearly morbidity estimates for three primary asbestos-associated cancers as well as asbestosis, a non-cancerous condition that is commonly diagnosed in asbestos cancer patients.

EWG estimated yearly asbestos related deaths

Asbestos-Related Gastro-Intestinal

Asbestosis

Mesothelioma

Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

source: Envronmental Working Group (EWG)

Causes and Risk Factors of Asbestos-Related Cancer

As its name suggests, asbestos cancers are caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos. When these toxic fibers enter the body, they can cause genetic changes in healthy mesothelial cells. Over time, healthy mesothelial cells die and tumors grow in their place. Asbestos exposure is practically the only cause and risk factor for mesothelioma, while lung cancer can be caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to radon.
Although smoking exacerbates any potential symptoms that asbestos-related diseases may display, it does not increase your risk of developing mesothelioma if you’ve been exposed to asbestos. Conversely, smoking combined with asbestos exposure does greatly increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Other factors that may affect a person’s overall health and risk of developing cancer following asbestos exposure may include a lifestyle low in exercise, high in stress and poor dietary choices.