Asbestos Exposure and Smoking

Asbestos Exposure and Smoking

Prolonged asbestos exposure through inhalation of asbestos fibers causes scarring to the lungs which can affect ones breathing and lead to serious health problems. Studies have shown that asbestos exposure increase ones risk of lung cancer, Mesothelioma and Asbestosis.

Smoking is the inhalation of toxic chemicals through cigarettes which leads to respiratory problems and can cause lung cancer, bronchitis, blood cancer and heart disease.

Both asbestos and smoking exposure irritate the lungs and together asbestos exposure and smoking increases the chances of lung cancer as opposed to asbestos exposure and smoking separately. Research has shown that people who smoke and have asbestos exposure have 50-90 times more chances of developing lung cancer as compared to asbestos exposure without smoking and smoking alone.

Smoking weakens the lungs, while asbestos exposure causes fibrosis to the lungs which inadvertently weakens the lungs as well. Where an individual has prolonged asbestos exposure and smokes, it is wise on their part to quit smoking as this highly reduces their chances of lung cancer.

Research proves that patients who had asbestos exposure and quit smoking reduced the risk of developing lung cancer by up to 50% within a five year period of quitting. Therefore, it is in the best interests of one who has asbestos exposure to quit smoking so as to reduce ones chance of lung cancer.

Unlike Mesothelioma and Asbestosis, the chances of developing lung cancer caused by prolonged asbestos exposure and smoking together can, to some extent, be determined by the patient’s ability to quit smoking before developing lung cancer.