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Friendly Print preview Overseas asbestos/mesothelioma information
Asbestos and cancer AsbestosisAsbestosis is not cancer but is a serious disease. It takes 10 years or more after asbestos exposure to develop. It causes scarring of the lungs and may lead to disability or even death. When asbestos fibres stay deep in the lungs, scar tissue forms around them, and this may grow over years. The scar tissue can be seen on a chest x-ray. It stops oxygen moving into the bloodstream, so the person with asbestosis feels out of breath. The doctor will also hear ‘crackles' in your chest-a bit like the sound made by rubbing hair between your fingers. These are signs of scar tissue in the lungs. Asbestosis slowly progresses over time. Some treatments can help to improve quality of life. Extra oxygen can help some people-you should discuss this with your doctor. Asbestosis usually develops in asbestos workers who have had a lot of exposure, so new cases in Australia are becoming uncommon. People with asbestosis may also develop lung cancer. |
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