Asbestos is a type of mineral that can be made into durable fibers. Because of its durability, asbestos was once used in fireproofing, roofing, and making paints and plastic. In the past decades, asbestos began gaining attention for the negative effect it could have on the health of people exposed to it. If you live in an old house or work at construction sites, your risk of asbestos exposure increases. With prolonged asbestos exposure, the fibers accumulate in your lungs and this can lead to asbestos cancer later in life. There are specific steps to find out if you have asbestos cancer.
Step 1
Write down the symptoms you are having. This can include having trouble breathing, a cough, chest pains and finger clubbing (deformity).
Step 2
Call your landlord, building manager, or home-builder and ask if the insulation and paints contain asbestos. Get a professional to test the environment. Test your home and your workplace. Exposure to asbestos is vital to determining whether you have asbestos cancer.
Step 3
Go to your doctor. Give your doctor a detailed history of your symptoms, activities at work, and whether you were exposed to potentially toxic materials.
Step 4
Get a chest X-ray, pulmonary function test (measures how much air your lung can hold), or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Discuss with your doctor the best tests for you. The doctor will also perform a thorough physical exam.
Step 5
Give your doctor any copies of old X-rays taken in the past. The doctor will use them to determine whether there are significant changes in your lungs. Get a lung biopsy if there are lung changes. This is the best test to determine if you have asbestos cancer.
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