Laura
I work at a law firm that handles workers' compensation cases, the majority of which are asbestos-related cases. Asbestosis is scarring on the lungs caused by asbestos fibers. The main symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath. Although there is no cure for asbestosis, there are things that can make breathing easier (medicines, inhalers, oxygen) for the patient. Some people who are diagnosed with asbestosis may never experience any symptoms and have no problems whatsoever. Asbestosis is a progressive disease and, therefore, it generally gets worse with time. If your father is a smoker, the best thing he can do is to QUIT SMOKING! Our clients that have asbestosis AND smoke are generally the sickest clients we have. Also, they are at a 70 to 90% increased risk for developing lung cancer or other types of cancer that can be linked to asbestos exposure (colon, laryngeal, stomach, mesothelioma, and tonsillar.