Though mesothelioma may be the most commonly-associated cancer with asbestos exposure, the presence of asbestos fibers in the body can cause a number of other, very serious and life-threatening cancers, such as lung cancer (see below), gastrointestinal cancer and colorectal cancer. Please see Gastrointestinal Cancer and Colorectal Cancer for information about these diseases.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos exposure can also increase one's risk of developing kidney, throat, esophagus and gallbladder cancer. In addition to these cancers, asbestos has also been linked to breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer, as well as leukemia and lymphomas.

Lung Cancer

Another dangerous cancer caused by asbestos exposure is lung cancer, of which there are two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The latter is the most common type, accounting for nearly 80 percent of known cases. The identification of lung cancer is determined by the appearance of cancer cells under a microscope from a tissue sample.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

- Coughing and chest pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Change in sputum volume or color
- Presence of blood in sputum
- Weight loss, tiredness and headaches

As with the development of mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos, lung cancer symptoms appear many years after initial exposure to the hazardous mineral. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing any symptoms of lung cancer should seek the advice of a medical physician.