What Is the Link Between Asbestos and Cancer?

Asbestos cancer is asbestos cancer caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos. The disease has a long incubation period and has the characteristics of being difficult to diagnose. It should be vigilant, strengthen prevention, and stay away from asbestos cancer.

Asbestos cancer

Asbestos cancer (asbestos cancer), once inhaled, the organs of the body's internal organs cause cells to mutate into cancer cells, which is often called "asbestos cancer". Mesothelioma is one of the most common asbestos cancers. Other cancers caused by exposure to asbestos include lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Asbestos cancer abstract

Causes of asbestos cancer

The disease is related to direct or indirect contact with asbestos. With the development of the asbestos industry and the widespread use of asbestos products in recent years, such as residential, public institutions, railway production, shipbuilding and energy production, non-industrial sound insulation materials in many industries have led to a significant increase in incidence. For example, the old ceilings must be removed during a renovation and refurbishment. It is inevitable that there are some asbestos products in the buried pipes for heat insulation and sound insulation materials. When these asbestos materials and products are dismantled, cut and reshaped, there will be small Asbestos fibers float in the air. These small fibers float in the air after being released. Once the human body inhales, asbestos fibers can accumulate in the body for many years, causing asbestos cancer.

Every year, approximately 10,000 Americans die from asbestos cancer.

Asbestos cancer types

Asbestos cancer mesothelioma cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is one of the rare asbestos cancer cures, which specifically targets human mesothelial cells.

It is estimated that 20 to 30% of people are diagnosed with mesothelioma due to prior exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma usually attacks the membrane-lined lungs, abdomen, or heart disease. Mesothelioma cases are reported every year, but because of its latent nature, symptoms usually appear many years later, so exposure usually occurs after 20 to 50 years, which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Asbestos cancer lung cancer

In addition to mesothelioma, lung cancer is also one of the most common asbestos cancers caused by contact with asbestos. There are two main types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The latter is the most common type, accounting for nearly 80% of known cases. Clinical manifestations include cough and chest pain, shortness of breath or dyspnea, changes in sputum volume or color, or presence including bloody sputum. Other symptoms may appear, such as weight loss, fatigue, and headaches.

Gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer is also the most common asbestos cancer caused by contact with asbestos.

Colorectal cancer

Anyone with asbestos cancer is related to their career history. Engaged in contact with asbestos for a long time, the number of asbestos fibers in the body is increased, and of course it is also affected by many other factors, but exposure to asbestos is an important factor.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos fibers enter the body through different organs and can cause kidney, throat, esophagus, and gallbladder cancer.

Asbestos cancer- related asbestos

Asbestos has extremely stable chemical properties, acid and alkali resistance, and high temperature resistance. It can be said that like ceramic fragments, it can remain on the surface of the earth until the earth disappears. The asbestos ore is melted and melted at high temperature to form filament fibers, which can be woven into cloth. Firefighters' work clothes are used to make it. Cotton-like insulation materials are also used in many fields. It is used on the belly outside the shuttle. There are also asbestos tiles for construction materials, interlayers for safes, brake pads for car brakes, and more. But workers in this industry are prone to occupational disease, which is lung tumors. The scientists observed the tumor sections under a microscope and found that there were extremely fine, needle-like asbestos fibers in the cells. It was concluded from this that asbestos fibers were toxic to humans (may include organisms). Asbestos fibers are easily broken, but the broken fragments are extremely hard. If they are sucked into the human body, they will be inserted into the cells like very fine steel needles, and they will not be able to be discharged from the inside. Mutation and develop into a tumor. Not only the lungs, but also those that enter through the esophagus, can also suffer from digestive disorders. Anything that is extremely fine and chemically stable is harmful to people, such as talcum powder. Recently, medical workers have performed a biopsy on tumors in the female reproductive system, such as uterine tumors, and found that there are magnesium silicates in the tumor cells. fiber. It is presumed to be a scourge of babies. In summer, most adults will use talcum powder to absorb sweat for children. If Pu Fanpu is at the reproductive tract, the dust will stay inside and the particles will be brought into the uterus by the peristalsis of muscles.

Clinical manifestations of asbestos cancer

Asbestos cancer can be latent for a long time. And the clinical manifestations are diverse and lack characteristics. Most patients show significant symptoms between the ages of 40 and 70, with more men than women. Early patients are usually asymptomatic or only show shortness of breath after exercise, so patients do not pay attention and miss the time of diagnosis and treatment. As the disease progressed, cough, belching, chest pain, and so on gradually appeared before the patient went to the hospital for treatment. At this time, about 75% of patients were diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 very late, and most patients were not suitable for surgery or radiotherapy.

Asbestos cancer treatment

There is still no effective cure. The prognosis of this disease is very poor, and there is no effective treatment. After the asbestos workers suffered from asbestos cancer, the average survival time from symptoms to death was only 11.4 months, and most patients died within 1 year. The next step should be a more scientific integration of various treatment measures, while developing new technologies in order to find more effective drugs and diagnostic methods, so that treatment can be carried out early.

Vigilance and prevention of asbestos cancer

Strengthen the management and use of asbestos, reduce asbestos pollution, avoid and reduce asbestos exposure and inhalation, increase awareness of high-risk operations, and strengthen self-protection.