The disease that is most commonly associated with asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer<\/a> that impacts the tissue mesothelium lining the lungs, heart, stomach, and other organs, and leads to shortness of breath, a chronic cough, stomach issues, weight loss and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the sad reality is that there are many other types of diseases<\/a> that can develop in the aftermath of asbestos exposure, including asbestosis, lung cancer<\/a>, throat cancer, stomach cancer, and even ovarian cancer in women. On this page, we\u2019ll explore the connection between asbestos and ovarian cancer<\/a> specifically, discussing what should be done if one suspects they have the disease, and this is a result of asbestos exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Proactively screening for cancer is always a good idea, particularly in individuals who are considered \u201chigh risk.\u201d There are many factors that can increase the chances of developing reproductive diseases, including ovarian cancer, such as being at an advanced age, genetic mutations, having a family history of the disease, early menses, late menopause, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ovarian cancer tends to be quite elusive in its early stages, too. Yet, it\u2019s important to detect it as early as possible as it tends to be especially deadly if not caught right away. Anyone who knows they have a preexisting condition that could up their chances of developing this form of cancer should undergo regular screenings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few different screening methods available to look for signs of ovarian cancer in its early stages, including having a blood test to determine whether certain biomarkers are present, or having a transvaginal ultrasound to get detailed imaging. Genetic testing can also be used to identify women who may be at an elevated risk. A medical professional can help patients determine which route is best for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding to the list of known risk factors for ovarian cancer is asbestos exposure \u2013 a factor that is commonly missed when determining whether or not a person should be worried about developing the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When one thinks of asbestos exposure, it\u2019s almost automatic to envision those most at risk being individuals who worked for years in construction, manufacturing, automotive, and other industries that used the mineral heavily prior to its widespread ban. Of course, these individuals were exposed to asbestos day in and day out, often before it was common knowledge that it was a carcinogen. They may have even worked directly with the substance without personal protective gear or employer warnings against handling asbestos, making it all-to-easy for fibers to be ingested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, these workers are considered \u201chigh risk\u201d of developing asbestos-related health complications. However, many individuals who never worked with asbestos directly are just as likely to develop complications like ovarian cancer due to secondhand exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondhand asbestos exposure occurs most frequently when those working in occupations<\/a> known for asbestos use inadvertently carry microscopic fibers home on their work clothing, boots, lunch pails, and skin, or in their hair or family vehicles<\/a>. These fibers then enter their homes, exposing anyone in the shared living space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, it was once common for women to use talc powder contaminated with asbestos, which ultimately led to the development of ovarian cancer<\/a>. Still today, if a woman consistently uses talcum powder in the genital area, and that powder is contaminated, it\u2019s possible for fibers to wind up in the ovaries where they will do damage over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, asbestos fibers embedded inside the body cause chronic inflammation and cellular damage in the ovaries, which can lead to DNA mutations and cancerous growths. While the exact mechanism of how these fibers reach the ovarian tissue is still unclear, they are very tiny and have the ability to easily travel through the body\u2019s systems, including the digestive tract and reproductive system, latching themselves onto tissues in various areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is such an important topic for all women because of the sobering reality as it relates to ovarian cancer and the outcomes that are often experienced by those with this disease. Simply put, the outlook is usually not a good one. Ovarian cancer<\/a> is one of the types of cancer that is typically discovered late because there tend to be no symptoms at the start. This leads to a high mortality rate compared to other diseases, and the reality is that women diagnosed are likely to be met with a poor prognosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also possible for the cancer to come back after a successful treatment, and the outcomes that are experienced vary wildly from one woman to the next. Although advancements in treatment in recent years have offered some reasons for more hope, including the use of immunotherapy, the reality of the situation can still be tough to come to terms with when a diagnosis is handed down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people simply don\u2019t know that they have been exposed to asbestos in the past. For previous generations, exposure was common, whether it occurred directly at work or through secondhand exposure<\/a>, as mentioned above. Now that asbestos use has been restricted, it can be more difficult to make a connection. However, it is important to note that older structures will likely still contain asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles, roofing shingles, and in walls, particularly in insulation. As these buildings wear down over time, fibers tend to become friable, leading to ingestion. Also, the long latency period between exposure and symptom onset can mean that new cases of ovarian cancer have actually been caused by exposure occurring 20-60 years<\/a> prior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After receiving an ovarian cancer diagnosis, getting prompt treatment is the first priority, of course, but if asbestos was involved, it can\u2019t stop there. Fighting ovarian cancer is not only difficult emotionally and physically, but it is also very expensive. If this cancer is the result of third-party negligence, victims shouldn\u2019t have to carry the brunt of the financial burden on top of everything else. Getting legal help to cover ancillary issues such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering is possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While filing a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries caused by asbestos is possible, this isn\u2019t the only route that\u2019s available. There are essentially two viable paths toward securing compensation, and an experienced attorney can help a client figure out which one is right for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a traditional lawsuit, one can expect the case to take quite a long time, and many people find the process to be stressful, but it\u2019s possible to secure significant damages in the end. There have been numerous successful lawsuits filed over the years against companies involved in the use of asbestos, and there are still plenty of cases still ongoing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an appealing alternative, though, it\u2019s also possible to get funds more quickly by filing a claim with an existing asbestos trust. These trusts hold huge sums of money waiting to be paid out to victims of exposure who want to avoid the lengthy lawsuit process. An attorney can submit a claim on a client\u2019s behalf, ensuring everything is filed correctly so they can receive the payment they need quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Working with the team at AsbestosClaims.law<\/a> means not only having a strong legal alley in your corner, but ensuring you\u2019re able to seek quality legal guidance on a contingency basis and won\u2019t have to pay a dime until you receive compensation. The attorneys at AsbestosClaims.law<\/a> have a wealth of experience navigating asbestos cases regardless of whether a client decides to pursue a lawsuit or trust claim. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women are unaware of the dangers of asbestos-related ovarian cancer, or the fact that they may have been exposed by a spouse or family member\u2019s work clothing.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Getting Screened for Asbestos-Related Ovarian Cancer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Latency: Ovarian cancer from asbestos can take decades to appear.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Secondhand Exposure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Industrial workers at high risk of asbestos exposure often unintentionally exposed their families and other household members to asbestos dust.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While many women have worked in occupations known for asbestos use over the years, a vast majority have developed ovarian cancer as a result of secondhand exposure. These numbers include the children of asbestos workers exposed at home as well. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ovarian Cancer Outcomes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, treating ovarian cancer can be challenging because of its tendency to spread to other nearby areas in the body. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Determining Past Exposure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seeking Legal Help<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Two Paths Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Working with AsbestosClaims.law<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n