The dangers of asbestos have been well documented for years now, but sadly, there are still some people out there who are unaware of the dangers they face and the problems that they could incur later on in life. Statistics show that as of 2009, there had been just under 5,000 asbestos related deaths in the UK as well as a further 2,000 reported cases of non-fatal asbestos related disease and complications, and these numbers continue to grow. Whereas there have been a number of developments in medicine over the last decade or so, the prognosis for asbestos related disease remains unhappily bleak.
Mesothelioma is the most common problem related to asbestos, this is a form of cancer in which malignant cells develop in the creative lining that protect the body’s organs, particularly the outer lining of the lungs and occasionally abdominal cavity. This type of cancer is almost always linked to the inhalation of asbestos, and most people who develop this disease have worked in industries where they have been exposed to asbestos dust on a regular basis. Other common problems include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening and pleural plaques.
The symptoms for all these problems are fairly similar in nature, with all affecting the lungs. If you are, or know someone who has been working in a profession in which they are likely to have been exposed to asbestos for prolonged periods of time such as plumbing, demolition, thermal insulation, carpentry, etc. or lived nearby an asbestos factory in the past you should look out for the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Coughing up blood
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
And consult a doctor for further advice. Since these problems have made themselves manifest, there have been a great number of people making asbestos claims, and there are many more people out there who may be entitled to do the same.