Smoking and Asbestosis

Asbestosis and mesothelioma are two different diseases. Asbestosis occurs when a person is exposed to asbestos materials at work or at home for an extended period of time. Prolonged exposure to this material causes scarring in the lung tissue which in turn can cause breathing difficulties. Patients must keep in mind that asbestosis is not considered to be mesothelioma. This can lead, however, the development of mesothelioma symptoms if not diagnosed and treated properly. Once the disease is discovered by a physician, it is difficult to treat and eliminate because of capacity development into other forms of lung disease and cancer.

If someone has been exposed to asbestos materials, there are certain ways in which cancer can be prevented. Most importantly, asbestos is used in new homes and office buildings has come to stop because of the risk. If a person is exposed through their work site, however, he must be told by her employer because of federal and state regulations. This is the choice of employees to determine whether or not he or she feels comfortable in an environment containing material.

Another important way to reduce the risk of contracting asbestosis is to stop smoking completely. Smoking does not cause the type of disease, but may increase the risk. Smoking, especially combined with alcohol or other drug use, are a serious threat to the health of patients. Asbestosis is caused by smoking, but smoking speeds the process of developing health complications. Number of smoking and the length of time someone has been smoking contributes to whether or not he or she may contract a lung disease related. Therefore, patients who smoke for a long time (especially those who started when they were young) have a higher chance of lung cancer and other diseases. Location of different cancers (lung, esophagus, and oral cavity) depending on the type of tobacco product use.

By giving up smoking, asbestosis may increase a patient's life expectancy and can be treated quickly, with fewer complications. Some individuals who have been exposed to asbestos and non-smokers still have the risk of developing lung cancer types if they are around those who smoke heavily. Passive smoking, however, is twenty to thirty times less risk of developing cancer than those who were heavy smokers. It is important for non-smokers to be tested, especially if they believe that they have been infected with asbestos at any point in their lives. Just because someone does not smoke, does not mean they are safe from the impact that might follow from the inhalation of asbestos and passive smoking.

References:  
http://www.maacenter.org/mesothelioma/smoking/smoking-asbestosis.php