Research conducted in Japan is raising questions about how many American lung cancer patients’ illnesses may be caused by occupational asbestos exposure and could be eligible for compensation from personal injury lawsuits or asbestos bankruptcy trusts. Japanese scientists found that two percent of the country’s lung cancer patients actually have asbestos-related lung cancer (ARLC) and that only 565 out of those 1, 600 exposure victims applied for the country’s asbestos compensation benefit, suggesting that their diagnosis did not make their eligibility clear.
Mesothelioma is Not the Only Disease Caused by Asbestos Exposure
It’s long been known that asbestos exposure is the cause of malignant mesothelioma, but the toxic mineral also causes lung cancer, asbestosis, and other respiratory illnesses. With NERA Economic Consulting reporting that lung cancer incidence increased 2 percent in 2022 and continues growing, the Japanese study suggests that incomplete diagnostic protocols may be missing thousands of lung cancer victims eligible for compensation.
Asbestos manufacturers and suppliers could face substantially increased liability if American healthcare providers begin systematically screening lung cancer patients for asbestos-related disease. The Japanese study established that ARLC can be identified through specific radiological criteria that identify cumulative exposure, and that systematic use of these protocols would likely identify exposure victims among lung cancer patients, potentially adding thousands of additional victims each year.
Underdiagnosis of Asbestos-related Lung Cancer May Be Cheating Victims of Compensation
According to the Japanese study, there are several factors contributing to the lack of specificity in diagnosing lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. These include a lack of physician awareness of relief systems, time constraints associated with completing documentation, and physicians’ reluctance to report ARLC, especially for patients with a history of smoking cigarettes. The same elements likely exist in the United States.
If specific screening protocols were applied systematically to lung cancer patients, there is a strong chance that physicians would identify substantially higher numbers of Americans eligible for asbestos compensation. Applying the Japanese study’s 2 percent prevalence rate, it is possible that systematic CT screening of the approximately 235,000 lung cancer cases diagnosed annually in the United States could identify roughly 4,700 patients with asbestos-related lung cancer, who are eligible for compensation.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
