The Link Between Kidney Cancer and Asbestos

While many people know of the connectionbiodegradation. Besides these useful
between asbestos exposure and lung cancer, youcharacteristics, asbestos was also helpful because
may not realize that ingesting or inhaling asbestosit has high tensile strength and flexibility.
has also been linked to kidney, or renal, cancer.Due to these helpful properties, it is no surprise
The American Cancer Society estimates thatthat asbestos became a staple for construction,
12,980 Americans die of renal cancer each year.automotive, shipping, and other industries. In
Although you cannot protect yourself frombuilding construction alone, asbestos could be
everything that may cause kidney cancer, youfound in the insulation, vinyl flooring, counter tops,
can avoid asbestos to minimize that risk factor.roofing tar, and roofing tiles. Ships were built using
As well as asbestos, there are other risk factorsasbestos insulation as well. Lastly, the automotive
that can increase your chance of developingindustry utilized this material for brake pads, brake
kidney cancer. Other workplace hazards includeshoes, clutch pads, and gaskets.
cadmium, benzene, trichloroethylene, and someAsbestos can cause renal cancer because your
herbicides. Additionally, smoking and suffering frombody is unable to process the fibers. When
obesity can also increase your risk. Interestingly,asbestos particles are released into the air or
however, the rates of kidney cancer have beenwater, you can inhale or ingest the fibers. Once in
rising since the 1970s. While this could beyour body, they can become lodged in your
attributed to better cancer detection techniques, itorgans or cycle around the bloodstream since
could also be that people who were exposed toyour body cannot break them down. If they are
asbestos before it was banned are nowin the blood, they can get caught in the filtering
developing this type of cancer.area of the kidneys. From here, they can become
The problem with asbestos is that it was a verystuck in the kidneys and cause malignant tumors.
popular material before doctors realized theKidney cancer can be especially dangerous
dangers of the fibers. Although even the ancientbecause it is so close to the bloodstream. If the
Greek and Roman cultures utilized asbestos, it didtumor in the kidney is malignant, it can break off
not become widely-used until the Industrialand flow through the blood to another part of the
Revolution. During that time, people noted thebody.
need for insulating materials for the engines andIf you or someone you know has developed
piping now in place in buildings and ships.kidney cancer due to asbestos exposure, you
People turned to asbestos because it has amazingshould speak to an asbestos attorney about your
insulating abilities. Asbestos is part of the silicateoptions. For more information, contact the
family of minerals. Silicates are known for theirasbestos lawyers from Williams Kherkher today.
ability to resist heat, flame, chemicals, and