Asbestos & Smoking as Causes of Lung Cancer
Many of our asbestos exposed clients with lung cancer are current or former cigarette smokers.If you suffer from lung cancer, we can obtain compensation for you whether or not you are a current or former cigarette smoker.
Why?If a person with lung cancer had both a significant smoking history and significant asbestos exposure history, a judge or jury may be asked to determine which exposure caused the person’s lung cancer – the smoking or the asbestos? The answer is:
both.
Smoking is a major risk factor for disease. When coupled with asbestos exposure, smoking can greatly increase the risk of developing asbestos lung cancer. It is not a risk factor for mesothelioma.
Smoking compromises lung function and damages lungs at the cellular level, contributing to the negative health effects of asbestos exposure. Smoking alone can cause lung cancer. Asbestos exposure alone can also cause lung cancer. Taken together, asbestos and smoking multiply the risk of lung cancer significantly (a “synergistic” effect). Medical studies confirm that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure creates a risk of cancer much higher than just adding the risks together.
Not smoking is vital to preventing lung disease. Medical studies suggest that asbestos-exposed workers who quit smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 50% within five years of quitting (National Cancer Institute, Asbestos Fact Sheet). It is never too late to quit smoking.
Types of Lung Cancer
Primary Lung Cancer — This type of cancer originates in the lungs, and is divided into two groups: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
— Small Cell Lung Cancer — This type of cancer is generally seen in smokers, and is characterized by its “small cells.” Small cell lung cancer spreads quicklyand early in the disease.
— Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer — There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer, all of which behave similarly to one another.
— Squamous Cell Cancer — This is a type of non-small cell lung cancer, and it is the most common form of primary lung cancer. This type of cancer is most often seen in smokers and primarily effects the main airways of the lungs.
— Adenocarcinoma — This is also a type of non-small cell lung cancer, and is a cancer that produces mucus in the lining of the lungs.
— Large Cell Carcinoma — This type of lung cancer is the last of the three branches of non-small cell lung cancer, and is one of the most aggressive types of cancer.
Metastasized Lung Cancer — This type of cancer does not originate in the lungs, but elsewhere in the body. Treatment for metastasized lung cancer depends on where the cancer originated from.
Mesothelioma — This type of lung cancer is caused by asbestos fibers that have become lodged deep in the lung tissue through exposure to asbestos. It behaves differently from other types of lung cancers, and requires different treatments. Smoking is not a risk factor for mesothelioma.
Getting the Legal Help You Need
Compensation may be obtained for victims of lung cancer whose disease can be traced back to a specific cause, as in the case with mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. By working with an experienced San Francisco lung cancer lawyer, you can get the information you need to make informed decisions about your medical care and your future. Attorney Stephen Healy has worked with dozens of lung cancer patients and their families, and can help you get the resources you need to get through this difficult time.
Contact Attorney Healy today for a consultation by calling (844) 466-3768.