Asbestos is a hidden killer and exposure to the fibrous material increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Symptoms of an asbestos exposure related disease may take years to materialise and if not picked up quickly, it is usually too late. Along with lung cancer, there are 3 other serious diseases you can be at risk of due to asbestos exposure.

These other diseases are:

Mesothelioma: This cancer affects the lining of the lungs and the lining of the lower digestive tract. Mesothelioma once diagnosed is almost always fatal and usually always related to the exposure of asbestos.

Asbestosis:  This is a serious condition that normally occurs due to a large amount of exposure to asbestos. The scarring condition causes shortness of breath and can be fatal in severe cases.

Pleural thickening: This disease most commonly occurs after a heavy expose to asbestos. In a case of pleural thickening, the lining of the lung thickens and swells. If the condition increasingly worsens, squeezing of the lung can happen leading to shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.