The dangers of asbestos were, until relatively recently, unknown. Due to the latency period associated with exposure to the substance, many people that suffer from an asbestos-related disease do not present with symptoms until 40, 50 or 60 years after their exposure.
Whilst awareness has significantly increased since the ban on asbestos was implemented in the UK in 1999, many people are still unaware of the implications that even slight exposure can cause.
Asbestos Awareness is a website dedicated to educating people, sufferers of asbestos-related diseases and their families. In this article, we highlight the main three asbestos diseases.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and, in some cases, the lining of the stomach. Between 2017 and 2019, there were 2394 mesothelioma-related deaths in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK. In addition, approximately 94% of mesothelioma cases are preventable.
Unfortunately, prognoses associated with mesothelioma diagnoses are not often positive since, typically, the disease is at an advanced stage before symptoms begin to present.
Due to the short life expectancy associated with mesothelioma, those recently diagnosed with the disease must seek urgent advice from experienced legal professionals with the view to starting a compensation claim as soon as possible.
Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the third most prevalent form of cancer in the UK, but most diagnoses are associated with smoking cigarettes. 10% of lung cancer cases are thought to originate from breathing in microscopic asbestos fibres.
Most cases of asbestos-related lung cancer tend to stem from exposure in occupational settings. Therefore, asbestos lung cancer is considered an occupational illness or ‘industrial disease’.
As with other asbestos-related diseases, symptoms of this lung cancer often indicate various illnesses, even minor coughs or flu-like symptoms. Anyone who worked closely in the proximity of asbestos or suspects that they may have should visit a GP promptly.
Asbestosis
Although non-cancerous, asbestosis leads to difficulty breathing as the lungs struggle to provide sufficient oxygen to the bloodstream due to excessive scarring caused by inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibres.
Asbestosis is life-altering for sufferers and has the ability to develop into lung cancer.
The true extent of asbestosis suffering in the UK is unknown as the term is often misused to refer to any type of asbestos-related disease.
As with all other types of asbestos-related disease, once a person has been diagnosed with asbestosis, they should promptly seek legal advice with the view to pursue a compensation claim.
Asbestos Disease Claim UK
At Asbestos Awareness, we are dedicated to informing, educating and supporting people in relation to asbestos-related diseases.
Our website is owned and run by Bridge McFarland, a UK-based solicitors with a team of dedicated personal injury solicitors experienced in assisting clients obtain compensation where they have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
If you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis or another asbestos-related disease, we can assist you. Please call 0800 987 8809 or fill in this contact form.
