Can Secondhand Smoke Cause Mesothelioma, What Causes Lung Cancer Besides Smoking

Secondhand asbestos exposure is a direct cause of malignant mesothelioma with a large percentage of the victims being children and women.

Mesothelioma center. Cigarettes and other tobacco products contain dozens of toxic substances that can cause cancer and tobacco smoke also weakens your lungs making you more susceptible to respiratory diseases. What is secondhand smoke. While it is most commonly related to asbestos exposure in those who work in certain settings those who smoke are doubly at risk.

The link between smoking and lung cancer lung diseases and other respiratory issues is well known but the habit can also heighten the risk of asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma following exposure to the toxin. Mesothelioma is a particular type of lung cancer. Secondhand smoke is a combination of.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the united states and the vast majority of these cases are due to smoking. Compensation for secondhand asbestos exposure. Finally cigarette smoke contains numerous toxic chemicals that can cause cancerous changes in cells just as microscopic asbestos fibers can.

Usually the latency period between initial asbestos exposure and developing mesothelioma is 20 50 years. When inhaled or ingested the fibers may become lodged within the lining of the internal organs leading to cancer. According to the national cancer institute nci higher levels of asbestos exposure increase your risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure levels and mesothelioma. Both asbestos and smoking separately can cause lung cancer but together the effect is worse. Secondhand smoke also negatively affects the health of non smokers as it causes lung cancer and increases the risks of heart disease and stroke.

If these workers smoke the asbestos and cigarette toxins can scar and irritate lung tissue which can cause asbestos cancer to develop faster. Mainstream smoke the smoke that is inhaled and then breathed out by the smoker. For children with parents who smoke there is an increased risk for infections and asthma.

Sidestream smoke the smoke that comes from the burning end of the cigarette and is far more dangerous than the mainstream smoke inhaled by the smoker as it contains higher concentrations of harmful chemicals. Continuing to smoke after mesothelioma has developed also can reduce the patients quality of. The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is especially deadly.

The difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma lung cancer and mesothelioma are sometimes confused because in their late stages they often affect the same areas of the body and present the same. Smoking causes the most preventable deaths in the united states. Asbestos exposure is the only proven cause of mesothelioma.

Although exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma at this time scientists are studying how other risk factors like genetic history may play a role. However there are other factors and pre existing conditions that could increase risk.