Asbestos is a human carcinogen, which means that exposure causes cancer. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure without protective equipment. Even minimal exposure can potentially cause mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Some people who handle asbestos or materials containing asbestos for work may assume that they are not vulnerable to the substance because they handle it without noticing any medical issues. What many professionals fail to understand is how long mesothelioma, in particular, takes to develop after asbestos exposure.
Workers may retire before they fall ill
Mesothelioma is notorious for having a low five-year survival rate. Many people might believe that because of how devastating mesothelioma can be, it forms rapidly after asbestos exposure.
However, mesothelioma actually develops relatively slowly in the early stages of illness. Many people with mesothelioma get diagnosed 20 years, 30 years or even longer after their workplace exposure. Then, their cancer may progress relatively rapidly after their diagnosis.
Professionals who handled asbestos in the workplace, even if they have since changed jobs, may need to inform their primary care physician of that previous environmental exposure to ensure they receive appropriate diagnostic consideration. Early diagnosis can make a major impact on a patient’s prognosis and may expand the treatment options available to them.
Even if a worker exposed to asbestos has already retired, they may be eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust or a claim against their former employer. Reviewing a diagnosis with an attorney who specifically handles mesothelioma and asbestos-related illnesses in Georgia can help people pursue the compensation they need to cover their care costs.