Merlo, D.F. et al. (2018, December 29). Mortality among workers exposed to asbestos at the shipyard of Genoa, Italy: a 55 years follow-up. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0439-1 Your local council – for enquiries or concerns regarding the removal or disposal of asbestos in your neighbourhood, visit Know Your Council External Link to find your local council Goldberg M, Luce D. The health impact of nonoccupational exposure to asbestos: What do we know? European Journal of Cancer Prevention 2009; 18(6):489–503. [PubMed Abstract] Shephard, E. (2019). Recognising laryngeal cancer in primary care: A large case-control study using electronic records.

oxygen therapy – breathing in oxygen-rich air from a machine or tank to help improve breathlessness if your blood oxygen levels are low In addition, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program provides benefits to longshoremen, harbor workers, other maritime workers, and other classes of private industry workers who are injured during the course of employment or suffer from diseases caused or worsened by conditions of employment. Information about eligibility and how to file a claim for benefits under either of these programs is available from: Occupational exposure from many blue-collar professions is the leading cause of asbestos-related diseases. The U.S. military has used asbestos throughout the past century, causing asbestos cancer in thousands of veterans. National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) External Link Tel. 1800 621 666 for details of an accredited laboratory in your area where asbestos can be identifiedA 2013 study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine studied asbestosis and lung cancer among asbestos insulators. It found people with asbestosis were 7.4 times more likely to develop lung cancer. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. The chest x-ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related diseases. Although chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, they can help identify any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure ( 2). Ferri FF. Asbestosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 15, 2021.

National Cancer Institute. (2017, June 7). Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet Asbestos and your health. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/overview.html. Accessed Oct. 15, 2021. Schumann, S.O., Kocher, G. & Minervini, F. (2021, April). Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of the malignant pleural mesothelioma, a narrative review of literature. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8107529/ Some studies have also suggested that workplace asbestos exposure may be linked to other cancers, including cancers of the pharynx (throat), stomach, colon, and rectum. However, the evidence for a link between these cancers and asbestos is not as strong as it is for the other cancers discussed here. It’s not clear exactly how asbestos might affect risk for these cancers, but swallowed asbestos fibers might somehow contribute to the risk. Studies done in the labAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology. (2020, September). Prostate Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. The main ingredient in talcum powder (and some other cosmetic products) is talc, a mineral that is mined from the earth. In its natural form, talc can sometimes contain asbestos. Since the mid-1970s, all talc used in cosmetic products in the United States is supposed to have been free from detectable levels of asbestos. However, concerns have been raised about a possible increased risk of ovarian cancer among women who have regularly applied talc-based powder in the genital area. For more on this topic, see Talcum Powder and Cancer. Does asbestos cause cancer?