Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral known for its heat-resistant and insulating properties, has been a silent killer for decades. While its detrimental effects have long been recognized in industrial settings, the risks associated with asbestos exposure in women have often been underestimated, underreported, and under-addressed. Let’s delve into the specifics of asbestos-related cancers in women, the causes behind this heightened risk, and the alarming lack of awareness surrounding this issue.

Understanding Asbestos Cancer in Women

Asbestos is a well-documented carcinogen responsible for several types of cancer, with mesothelioma being one of the most devastating. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart; the disease is also notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat, making it all the more dangerous.

What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a less common form of mesothelioma that spreads throughout the abdomen and is often diagnosed late due to its rarity and vague symptoms. Sadly, MPM is usually fatal, with a life expectancy of less than a year if left untreated.

Causes of Asbestos Exposure

Historically, asbestos was used liberally in a wide variety of densely populated industries, including construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing. Workers in these industries often came into direct contact with asbestos fibers, putting them at a higher risk of exposure. That said, asbestos-related diseases, including mesotelioma, are not limited to those who worked directly with the mineral.

Why Women Are at Risk

Women, albeit less commonly exposed to asbestos in the workplace, are not immune to its dangers. 

Para-Occupational Exposure 

Women who lived with asbestos workers or had family members employed in asbestos-related industries faced indirect exposure risks through contaminated work clothing, equipment, or the environment; this is often referred to as ‘para-occupational’ or ‘second-hand’ exposure.

Exposición del hogar

Women who took on traditional roles as homemakers were at risk due to the asbestos fibers brought home on their spouses’ work attire; this form of exposure is often termed ‘exposición en el hogar.’

Domestic Exposure

Renovations or repairs in older homes containing asbestos materials can expose women to asbestos dust, putting them at risk.

Veterans’ Families and Military Women

Families of veterans and military personnel may also be exposed to asbestos, as the mineral was used extensively in military applications, including shipbuilding.

The Unknown, Underreported, and Under-Addressed Risk

Despite the alarming risks, asbestos-related diseases in women have long been underreported and under-addressed. The most recent major study on asbestos disease in 2021, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that mesothelioma in women is both underreported and under-addressed. The study revealed that one-in-five women with mesothelioma reported their occupation as homemaker, highlighting the prevalence of para-occupational exposure.

Moreover, the CDC reported an increase in malignant mesothelioma mortality among women from 1990 to 2020; this suggests a growing problem that demands immediate attention. The underreporting of asbestos-related diseases in women can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of awareness, the long latency period of the diseases, and the misconception that asbestos exposure is predominantly an issue for male industrial workers.

What Else Does the Research Tell Us?

A study from Italy, published in 2007, focused on the health risks associated with domestic asbestos exposure among women married to asbestos workers. Key findings included a significant increase in pleural cancer and pleural mesothelioma incidence due to domestic exposure, particularly for pleural mesothelioma; the risk increased with longer exposure durations and reached statistical significance after approximately 30 years. 

Another study of consideration is one of the few that have investigated mortality in women who were exposed to asbestos, whether through environmental or household factors. This Australian-based study builds on earlier research by having a larger number of exposed women and a more extended follow-up period; all the women in this study were exposed to crocidolite asbestos, and researchers calculated quantitative estimates of their exposure, examining exposure-response relationships for various health outcomes.

Important findings from this study include:

All-Cause Mortality

The study concluded that women exposed to asbestos had a higher risk of dying from various causes, when compared to the general population; their mortality rate was 1.13 times higher.

Malignant Mesothelioma

The study also reported elevated mortality due to malignant mesothelioma; this highlights the severe health consequences faced by these women.

Neoplasms

Excess mortality was observed for neoplasms, which include various types of tumors. 

Cáncer de pulmón

Mortality from lung cancer, which is closely linked to asbestos exposure, was also higher among the exposed women.

Other Health Issues

The study indicated elevated mortality rates for cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (the organs and tissues of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts), pneumoconiosis (a lung disease caused by the inhalation of various types of dust, including asbestos), and symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions. However, circulatory disease mortality and mortality from certain cancers, such as intestinal and colon/rectum cancers, were lower than in the general population.

Exposure-Response Relationship

Arguably one of the most critical findings of the study was the establishment of a statistically significant exposure-response relationship between cumulative asbestos exposure and pleural mesothelioma; this finding clearly demonstrates that the more significant the asbestos exposure, the greater the risk of developing this lethal form of cancer.

Take Action: Get Tested

Given the hidden risks associated with asbestos exposure, it’s crucial for women whose spouses or parents worked in industrial jobs before the mid-1980s – when asbestos use began to be phased out – to get tested. A simple X-ray or a B Reader examination can help detect asbestos-related diseases in their early stages, improving the chances of successful treatment.

Conclusión

Asbestos cancer in women is a critical issue that has long been shrouded in obscurity. Para-occupational, household, and domestic exposure, along with the risks faced by veterans’ families and military women, contribute to the significant health threat that women unknowingly face. The underreporting and under-addressing of asbestos-related diseases in women must be rectified through increased awareness, early detection, and proactive measures to protect women from this hidden danger.