Asbestos and cancer

You might have heard or read about a link between cancer and asbestos. But what exactly is asbestos, how common is it and what health impacts can it have?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring toxic minerals. It was commonly used in the past in thousands of products and across many industries.

Asbestos is naturally resistant to heat and fire, making it ideal for use in insulation. The fine, flexible fibres that make up asbestos were frequently mixed with cement and woven into fabrics.

Exposure to asbestos fibres can result in the development of serious illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma (a fast growing, deadly form of cancer), lung cancer and asbestosis (a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe).

It's estimated that up to 4,000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related illnesses, twice the national road toll.¹ Australia currently has the second highest rate of asbestos-related cancer deaths in the world.²

Asbestos was phased out in Australia during the 1980s and banned from building products in 1989, though it remained in car gaskets and brake linings. Asbestos was prohibited completely after 31 December, 2003.

Exposure to asbestos occurred frequently on the job in many different occupations. It was often prevalent in asbestos mines and the processing and manufacturing plants where asbestos products were produced.

Until the mid-1980s, those working in the construction industry were likely to have been exposed to asbestos. Many public buildings built during this period, as well as around a third of private dwellings, used building materials that contained asbestos. This included concrete, cement sheeting, vinyl floor coverings, pipes and boilers, and insulation.

Shipyards, oil refineries, and power and chemical plants were also common exposure sites. Those who worked in certain occupations, such as firefighters, auto mechanics and machinists, may have been frequently exposed to asbestos.

People who haven't worked directly with asbestos could also have been exposed to it, such as anyone cleaning work clothes with asbestos fibres on them, or people disturbing asbestos during home renovations or maintenance.

Those who work to remove asbestos or deal with asbestos that remains at certain sites are also at risk of exposure and must take careful precautions against the consequences of uncontrolled, unsafe removal.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of several cancers, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Exposure has also been linked to cancer of the ovary and larynx, and there is limited evidence that it may increase the risk of stomach, pharynx and colon cancer.

Asbestosis is a progressive pulmonary (lung) disease that is also caused by asbestos exposure. Conditions such as pleural plaques, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease are among other illnesses associated with asbestos exposure.

Each year in Australia, between 700 and 800 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma.²

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a protective membrane that lines several areas of the body. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.

A mesothelioma patient may not notice any symptoms of mesothelioma until 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms often resemble illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia and heart conditions. This can make diagnosis difficult, but informing a doctor of prior asbestos exposure can alert them of the possibility of an asbestos-related disease.

While a cure for mesothelioma doesn't currently exist, treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are available for patients to help combat the cancer. Extensive studies and clinical trials are in progress internationally and cancer specialists and doctors are constantly working towards the discovery of a cure.

The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute offers online support and information for patients and carers.

The Australian Mesothelioma Registry is funded by Safe Work Australia and collates information and occurrences of mesothelioma to help prevent exposure to asbestos nationwide.