Asbestos Exposure Can Cause Throat Cancer
People exposed to asbestos have an average 40 percent greater chance of laryngeal cancer
In 2006, a government expert panel linked throat cancer to the list of ailments directly linked to asbestos exposure.
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel concluded that large-scale studies show a “causal relationship” between asbestos exposure and cancer of the larynx, a part of the throat containing the vocal cords.
Study results show that people exposed to asbestos have an average 40 percent greater chance of laryngeal cancer than those with no exposure, the committee concluded. People with high exposure — including miners, smelter workers and some construction and textile workers — had up to double to triple the risk.
Throat (laryngeal) cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the throat and/or esophagus.
Risk Factors For Throat Cancer Include:
- Being exposed to certain substances at work, i.e. asbestos exposure
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Ultraviolet light exposure
- Chewing betel nut
- Using smokeless tobacco products
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
- Age
- Gender (Male)
Common Throat Cancer Symptoms* Include:
- A sore throat that does not go away
- A painless lump on the lip, in the mouth, or in the throat
- A sore on the lip, in the mouth, or in the throat that persists
- Difficulty swallowing
- A change in the sound of the voice/hoarseness
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble speaking
- Pain in the ears
- Frequent headaches
- Sinuses that are blocked and will not clear
- Nose bleeds
- Pain in the upper teeth
- Swelling in the eyes
- Swelling of the jaw
- A lump or sore that does not heal
- Numbness or paralysis of face muscles
- Pain in the face or neck that does not go away
*These and other symptoms may be caused by throat cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. This is not an all-inclusive list, nor should this list be used to self-diagnose.
If have been diagnosed with throat or laryngeal or throat cancer, and you worked around asbestos, contact our asbestos exposure law firm today.