Asbestosis is fibrosis, or scarring of the lungs caused by long term or heavy exposure to asbestos. This usually progresses slowly and can cause severe breathlessness.
There is no known treatment to alter the progression of the disease.
Asbestosis can take around 10 - 20 years from when you were first exposed to asbestos until it is detected.
There is usually a 10% chance of developing mesothelioma and a 20 - 50% chance of developing lung cancer (the commonest complication of asbestosis). Smoking significantly increases your chances of developing lung cancer if you have asbestosis.
There are other conditions which can mimic asebstosis such as Cryptogenic Fibrosing Alveolitis or Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis (eg bird fanciers lung), Carcoidosis or Rheumatoid Disease.
