Asbestosis

Your GP may ask about your symptoms, listen to your lungs with a stethoscope (if asbestos has affected your lungs, they usually make a crackling sound as you breathe in), ask about your work history and whether you may have been exposed to asbestos, and arrange a chest X-ray.

If asbestosis is suspected, you'll be referred to a lung specialist for tests to confirm whether there's any scarring in your lungs. These may include a CT (computerised tomography) scan and lung function tests.

The specialist will also weigh up other possible causes of lung inflammation and scarring, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and interstitial lung disease linked to connective tissue disease.

Treatment for asbestosis

There is no cure for asbestosis once it has developed. It’s not possible to reverse the damage to the lungs.

Sometimes, depending on the pattern of scarring seen in the lungs, you may be considered for AntiFibrotic therapy to reduce progression of your lung condition.

Pulmonary rehabilitation may be recommended.

There are things you can do to help your symptoms.

Stop smoking

If you’ve been diagnosed with asbestosis and you smoke, you should stop as soon as possible.

Smoking can make breathlessness worse. It can also significantly increase your risk of developing lung cancer.

Speak to your GP for help with giving up smoking.

You can also phone Quit Your Way Scotland on 0800 84 84 84 to get more help and advice about quitting smoking.

Read more about stopping smoking.

Long-term oxygen therapy

If you have severe asbestosis, your body may not be getting enough oxygen. Oxygen therapy may be recommended if you have low levels of oxygen in your blood.

Compensation

If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis or other asbestos related lung conditions, you have 3 years from your diagnosis to claim compensation. This can be done through:

• industrial injuries disablement benefit – a weekly benefit that may be paid to people with asbestosis who were exposed to asbestos while in employment (but not self-employed)
• a civil claim for compensation through the courts – you’ll need to obtain legal advice about how to do this
• a claim for a lump compensation sum under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 – if you have asbestosis, or you’re the dependent of someone who has died from the condition, and you haven’t been able to get compensation through the courts because the employer has ceased trading

Read more about industrial injuries disablement benefit on the GOV.UK website.

Vaccinations

If you have asbestosis, your lungs will be more vulnerable to infection.

It’s recommended that you have the flu vaccine every year to protect against flu. You should also have the pneumococcal vaccine.

How to prevent asbestosis

Large amounts of asbestos are still found in many older buildings. You should take precautions if you live or work in a building that may contain asbestos.

If you think your house may contain asbestos, contact an environmental health officer at your local council. Do not attempt to remove any materials that you think may contain asbestos yourself.

If your job means you could be exposed to asbestos fibres, make sure you are fully aware of how to reduce your risk. Do not attempt to remove any asbestos you come across, unless you have been trained in how to do this safely.

Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.