Cancer is a frightening and widespread killer of Americans and all of us are fixated on the reports that come out with new risk factors, and items that might be carcinogenic. Still, there are a number of products, toxins and minerals and medications that can cause cancer and if you have been exposed to one of these through medical malpractice or product liability, you may be entitled to seek damages.
Cancer is a class of many diseases and it is characterized by a massive and uncontrolled division of cells that can create tumors or conditions effecting tissue or blood throughout the body. Cancer cells rarely remain in the localized area in which they develop – growing into other organs and tissues or metastasizing in other parts of the body. The cells change and develop into those that multiply uncontrollably because their cellular DNA changes, either from outside intervention or genetic predisposition. Additionally, the cells can change from being benign to malignant cancerous cells quickly. If you are exposed to materials called carcinogens, radioactive materials or even to certain viruses you can develop cancer.
Some cancers are well known to be tied to various products. For instance the link between lung cancer and smoking cigarettes was identified years ago. By inhaling cigarette smoke that also contains toxins like acetone, arsenic, benzene, benzoapyrene, butane, lead, formaldehyde and turpentine, to name a few, millions of smokers have opened themselves up, directly, to cancer causing agents. It has also been proven that tobacco companies knew that their products were dangerous and carcinogenic but that they maintained their marketing techniques, insufficient labeling, and they specifically marketed to young people. This is why big tobacco has been under siege for years now by private citizens who were duped by nefarious marketing and by the US government and the individual states to recoup millions of dollars in losses spent towards Medicaid coverage of smoking health related illnesses.
Additionally, many Americans have developed cancer because of exposure to environmental toxins and products that contain dangerous materials. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that has been specifically linked to asbestos exposure. It is estimated that over 9 million industrial workers and family members were exposed to asbestos inhalation because of its widespread use in over 5,000 products. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally and because of it heat and fire resistance and that it does not react to electricity it was widely used in a number or products where heat, fire and friction required its unique properties. As asbestos decomposes it becomes airborne and can be inhaled. Once it lodges into the lungs is cannot be expressed and people develop a number of conditions. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the linings of the lungs, heart and abdomen and is very difficult to treat.
If you have been exposed to a product that has given you cancer, you should contact a qualified product liability attorney or a personal injury attorney to discuss your potential claim against the company who put you in harm’s way.