Even though mesothelioma receives the most attention when it comes to diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, other conditions also result from this toxic substance. You may have heard of asbestosis, and you know lung cancer could result as well.
Did you know that throat cancer could result from exposure to this human carcinogen, too? If not, then you may not correlate your current symptoms with your exposure, which could have occurred decades ago.
What to watch for if you suspect throat cancer
You may experience all of the common symptoms of throat cancer listed below, or you may only experience one or more of them:
- Sores that don’t heal
- Pain in your throat
- An earache
- Cough that worsens over time
- Lump in your throat that won’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Loss of your hearing
- A hoarse voice
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty talking or breathing
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- Vomiting blood
- Vomiting a black, coffee-ground-like substance
Obviously, some of the above symptoms are more serious than others are and could alert you quicker that something is wrong. Other symptoms could easily mimic other conditions. For instance, a sore throat or earache could just be part of the flu. You could have difficulty breathing due to a respiratory infection such as bronchitis. However, if you know that your job exposed you to asbestos at some point in the past, it would be worthwhile to get any of the symptoms checked out, just in case.
What to do after you’re diagnosed with throat cancer
If your worst fears come true and your doctor correctly diagnoses you with throat cancer, you now have a significant health challenge ahead of you. You could need aggressive and varied treatments in order to deal with your condition. As all of this goes on, you incur substantial amounts of medical expenses. More than likely, you cannot meet the monetary requirements of your treatment even with health insurance.
Under these circumstances, you may begin looking for a way to get your medical costs paid and to provide you with some compensation for your condition. After all, it’s reasonable to believe that your condition resulted from what amounts to an on-the-job injury despite the fact that it took place several years ago.
It may still be possible to receive compensation, but this area of law is complex and often requires a Louisiana attorney experienced in this area of law.