Every year, asbestosis and asbestos-related diseases claim the lives of approximately 170 New Zealanders. Even though we have banned the import and manufacturing of asbestos products in New Zealand, that doesn’t mean the threat is gone.

That means that every Kiwi should be asking, what are the symptoms of asbestosis and related diseases? By knowing what they are, you can be more informed about what asbestos is doing and has done to those who have been exposed to it.

What are the Symptoms of Asbestosis?

To understand the symptoms of asbestosis, it’s helpful to understand what this condition is. Asbestosis is a lung condition caused by exposure to asbestos over a long period.

Those most at risk include people who once worked in building and construction, along with electricians, demolition workers, engineers, plumbers, and general construction workers – especially from the 1970s to the 1990s.

After years of breathing in asbestos fibres, those fibres can cause scarring in the lungs. This scarring may then lead to:

• A persistent cough

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Fatigue

• Pain in your chest region or shoulder

• Swollen fingertips (rare)

Asbestosis is not a condition that can happen overnight. In fact, it rarely happens in a decade. From the time of your consistent exposure to the onset of symptoms, there may be a 20-30-year gap.

If you experience any of these symptoms for yourself or notice them in someone else, it’s time to act. A GP will consider your history with asbestos and listen to your lungs. They may then refer you to a specialist for a chest X-ray, lung CT scan, and lung function tests.

Is There a Cure for Asbestosis?

Medicine has come a long way, but there is still no cure for asbestosis. However, there are treatment options available.

Your GP may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation with exercises to manage your symptoms. Oxygen therapy may also assist in improving your blood oxygen levels. Mild symptoms can often be managed with an inhaler.

What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a malignant asbestos-related condition consisting of an aggressive and incurable tumour. Around 75 per cent of diagnosed cases are pleural mesothelioma, while the remainder is peritoneal mesothelioma.

It can take between 20 and 50 years for pleural mesothelioma to present itself after asbestos exposure. By the time it does begin to affect you, you can experience the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath

• Chronic chest pain

• Weight loss

• A persistent cough

This condition can be quite challenging to diagnose and requires a chest X-ray, physical examination, lung function tests, MRI scans, and CT scans. A biopsy is also necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

Is There a Cure for Mesothelioma?

Unfortunately, the outcome is bleak for anyone who has been diagnosed with this aggressive tumour type. Most people who are diagnosed with it succumb to the illness within 12 months.

However, treatment options can alleviate pain and discomfort while potentially extending the sufferer’s lifespan. These include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Research is also underway to see how we can detect this condition sooner, such as with tumour biomarkers and volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. 

What Are the Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?

Even though smoking causes up to 90 per cent of lung cancer deaths, that doesn’t mean it’s not the only cause of this cancer. Asbestos can also be to blame, but with a latency period of up to three decades.

At least three to eight per cent of lung cancer diagnoses are related to asbestos exposure. However, that risk can depend on your asbestos exposure frequency, for how long, and how much. Smokers who have been exposed to asbestos are also at an increased risk.

Symptoms of asbestos-related lung cancer are not dissimilar to lung cancer caused by something else. Sufferers may experience:

• A chronic cough

• Breathlessness

• Chest pain

• Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Wheezing

• Voice hoarseness

Is There a Cure for Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?

The prognosis of asbestos-related lung cancer cases is typically poor. Out of all diagnosed cases, including asbestos and non-asbestos, only 15 percent of diagnosed sufferers live up to five years from their time of diagnosis.

However, some treatment options are available, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these. 

Asbestos is Still Here, So Take Care

A number of asbestos-related conditions have plagued our generation and those before us. Asbestosis, mesothelioma, cancer, pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, folded lung, and benign asbestos pleural effusions are all conditions our medical professionals deal with every day.

Because asbestos still exists in many of our homes and businesses, we’re not out of the woods yet. To prevent conditions such as these from being a part of our future, we need to take care in how we manage and remove asbestos.

Whether you suspect asbestos exists within your property, or you want to ensure its safe removal, contact an expert asbestos removal team who can help. Someone’s life may just depend on it.