Other Cancers and Diseases Linked to Asbestos

Asbestos cancers can occur in different areas of the body and affect various types of tissue. Each form of asbestos cancer comes with its own unique prognosis and treatment options.

02. Voice Box Cancer

Laryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer and Asbestos

Laryngeal cancer occurs in the voice box or the tissue around the vocal cords. Doctors may use various tests to diagnose laryngeal cancer. Potential diagnostic tests include a physical examination, imaging tests and biopsies.

After diagnosis, doctors can provide prognosis and treatment information. Factors like cancer stage and overall patient health all play a role.

03. Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer and Asbestos

Ovarian cancer develops in the ovaries. It may arise in any of three main cell types: epithelial cells, germ cells and stromal cells. Doctors use an array of common medical tests to diagnose ovarian cancer. These tests may include a physical exam, imaging tests or biopsies.

Ovarian cancer risk factors include:

• Asbestos exposure
• Having a family history of ovarian or other cancers
• Having a history of breast cancer
• Having children after age 35
• Increasing age
• Never having a full-term pregnancy
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Undergoing fertility treatment
• Using hormone therapy after menopause

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently released a report on asbestos and cancer. It concluded asbestos causes ovarian cancer. Asbestos exposure often occurs in occupational settings. But for asbestos-related ovarian cancer, common sources of exposure may be environmental and secondary.

Talcum Powder, Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer

In the past, many women used talcum powder on a daily basis, often in the genital area. Talcum powder comes from talc, a mineral composed of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. However, talc deposits often naturally contain asbestos.

In fact, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) baby powder recently tested positive for asbestos fibers. The company discontinued its North American talc-based products in 2020. Still, many women may have been exposed to asbestos through contaminated talc products.

At least 55,000 women have filed lawsuits blaming talcum powder for their ovarian cancer diagnoses. Some studies have found a weak association between talc and ovarian cancer. Additionally, the IARC classifies asbestos-containing talc as “carcinogenic to humans.”

In June 2024, an Oregon jury awarded $260 million to a woman who sued J&J. She claimed asbestos-contaminated talc caused her to develop cancer.

J&J has tried several different tactics to end its talc-related legal troubles. Most recently, the company offered to settle pending talc lawsuits for $6.5 billion.

04. Other Cancers

Other Cancers Potentially Linked to Asbestos

Many researchers have studied the potential link between asbestos and various cancers. For some cancers, these studies have been contradictory. Some report a strong connection between asbestos and certain cancers. Others show no evidence of the same connection.

More research is needed to determine the true relationship between asbestos and the cancers below. But currently, at least some evidence suggests a link between asbestos and these cancers.

Asbestos and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer develops in breast tissue. Most cases occur in women, but it can also occur in men. Finding a lump or mass in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer.

Studies have not established a definitive link between asbestos and breast cancer. However, one study did find a potential link.

Researchers investigated cancer reports in nearly 900,000 Finnish women. Some of those women worked in jobs that exposed them to asbestos. Asbestos exposure was associated with a 30% increase in the risk of breast cancer.

Asbestos and Colon or Colorectal Cancers

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon and rectum. The colon is the portion of the large intestine under the stomach. The rectum is the portion of the large intestine that connects the colon to the anus. Colorectal cancers may be called colon or rectal cancer, depending on where they start.

A 2017 study investigated the link between asbestos and colorectal cancer in 14,515 men. Asbestos exposure was associated with a 14% higher-than-normal risk of colorectal cancers.

Asbestos and Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer develops in the lining of the esophagus. Its two main forms are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

At least 25 studies have examined the relationship between asbestos exposure and esophageal cancer. One such study looked at cancer rates in nearly 7,000 Australian asbestos miners. The asbestos miners had a 20% higher risk of dying from esophageal cancer than the general public.

Another study looked at cancers in 3,072 asbestos-exposed workers from South Carolina. These workers were 87% more likely to die of esophageal cancer than the average person.

Asbestos and Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer may develop in one or both kidneys. Early-stage kidney cancers might not cause symptoms. When symptoms do arise, they may include bloody urine, back pain on one side and a lump on the side or lower back.

Some studies have not found a link between asbestos and kidney cancer. However, a 2018 study of nearly 3,200 asbestos-exposed men found a relationship.

In the study, any amount of asbestos exposure was associated with a 20% increase in kidney cancer risk. Increasing levels of asbestos exposure were associated with an even higher risk of kidney cancer.

Asbestos and Pharyngeal Cancer

Pharyngeal cancer is a cancer of the part of the throat just behind the mouth (the pharynx). It may also be called oropharyngeal cancer. Almost all pharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

A few studies have investigated the relationship between asbestos and cancer of the pharynx. One study of 58,279 asbestos-exposed men included 53 cases of pharyngeal cancer. When compared to men without asbestos exposure, the asbestos-exposed men had more than double the risk of developing pharyngeal cancer.

However, the authors noted their study was relatively small. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between asbestos and pharyngeal cancer.

Asbestos and Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer develops in the cells of the prostate gland. Most prostate cancers are found through early screening.

It is unclear how many prostate cancer cases may be related to asbestos. However, some researchers have suggested a link between asbestos and prostate cancer.

A recent study analyzed nearly 16,000 cases of prostate cancer. These cases were within a study group of more than 700,000 people. Asbestos exposure increased the risk of prostate cancer by approximately 10%. However, cases of environmental asbestos exposure carried a 25% increased risk of prostate cancer.

The researchers concluded asbestos exposure seems to increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Asbestos and Stomach Cancer

Stomach (gastric) cancer develops in the cells of the stomach. Some stomach cancer diagnoses may be asbestos-related, but the evidence is still inconclusive.

A few studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. Recently, investigators analyzed cancer cases across 32 different medical studies. They found asbestos exposure increased the risk of dying from stomach cancer by 19%.

Another study looked at the incidence of stomach cancer in people exposed to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder. Among more than 580,000 people, the researchers found nearly 22,000 talc users.

People exposed to asbestos talcum powder had more than twice the risk of developing stomach cancer versus non-exposed people. The researchers concluded there might be a link between asbestos-contaminated talc and stomach cancer.

05. Other Asbestos Illnesses

Non-Malignant Asbestos Illnesses

Asbestos exposure can contribute to the development of non-cancerous diseases, too. The following conditions vary in severity but have all been associated with asbestos exposure.

• Asbestosis
• Pericardial effusion
• Peritoneal effusion
• Pleural effusion
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural thickening
• Rounded atelectasis

Some people may be diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) asbestos disease. However, a benign condition could be a sign of a malignant condition.

For example, pleural effusion can be a symptom of pleural mesothelioma. In other cases, it may occur on its own (not caused by or related to pleural mesothelioma).

Some conditions, like asbestosis, may occur before an asbestos cancer. For instance, asbestosis does not cause asbestos cancer but may precede it.

06. What to Do

What to Do if You Were Exposed to Asbestos

Research has linked numerous cancers to asbestos exposure. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure may want to speak with a physician. Doctors can help patients monitor for potential symptoms of asbestos-related cancers. For instance, doctors might recommend possible screenings.

Monitoring may help identify any potential asbestos cancer in an early stage. In general, earlier-stage cancer has more treatment options that may lead to better survival. But as research continues, later-stage cancer patients have more treatment options than before.

07. Common Questions