Washington State is home to several industrial operations that have or continues to use or produce asbestos containing products. Furthermore, our state is also home to natural sites of asbestos in the Cascade Mountains, the Okanogan highlands, and an area northeast or Spokane. Many of these sites have been mined for asbestos in the past. The presence of these operations and natural deposits sadly spells danger for many residents of Washington.
Asbestos—though prized by companies for its durability, fire and flame proofing, sound proofing, insulating, and protective qualities—is extremely hazardous to human health. In fact, exposure to this material, either in high amounts or for long periods of time, can lead to serious and fatal diseases including mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma Cancer Deaths in Washington
These diseases claimed the lives of 1,776 Washington residents between the years of 1979 and 1999 and continue to prove fatal. Asbestosis, which accounted for a little more than half of these deaths, is a non-cancerous disease characterized by scarring of the lungs caused by inhalation of asbestos. Mesothelioma, a rarer but more serious disease, is a form of cancer in which asbestos infiltrates the lining of the heart, abdomen or lung lining and causes malignancy. Both of these diseases pose the serious threat of mortality, especially when they are not detected early.
Asbestos Exposure in Washington
People who have been exposed to asbestos in Washington, either in the workplace, the home or another environment, are wise to seek medical advice about how best to protect their health. Mesothelioma treatment centers are an excellent resource for those who have been exposed to asbestos and especially those who have developed mesothelioma cancer.
Asbestos has historically been used in Washington in the following industries:
- Shipbuilding, ship repair and other shipping operations
- Pulp and paper mills; the timber industry
- Power generation plants (both hydroelectric and nuclear)
- Oil Refineries
- Construction, remodel/renovation, and demolition sites
- Aluminum industry operations
Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos from working in one of the aforementioned industries, or from any other source, and have developed asbestos cancer should consider consulting an asbestos attorney to learn about their legal rights.
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Washington State
Swedish Cancer Institute
Dr. Eric Vallieres
Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology
1221 Madison Street
Suite 400
Seattle, Washington 98104
The Swedish Cancer Institute is the leader in Seattle for diagnosis, treatment and recovery in cancer since 1932. This cancer center offers you all of the services that you need to fight your lung cancer and win. The team here consists of oncologists that focus only of the treatment and care for cancer patients – using medication, radiation and much more.
The Swedish Cancer Institute uses gene sequencing and tumor gene study to develop your personal cancer treatment plan. When you first come to this center, your doctor will talk to you about gene sequencing your cancer cells, and then will collect a small tissue sample.
This sample may be collected with a biopsy, or could be part of a surgery to remove part of the tumor. Then, the DNA in those cancer cells are pulled out and the tumor’s genomic ID is determined and they also will collect more information about the tumor with other tests.
Pathologists will compare your gene information to information from other cancer patients. They look for gene abnormalities that are similar and for the treatments that have worked well in similar situations.
After about 10 days, the pathologist will send your doctor a report that will describe the therapies and treatments that have worked well for other patients with similar cancer.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave. N.
PO Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is dedicated to eliminating cancer and all related diseases as the cause of human suffering and death. Hutch conducts research into cancer that is only of the highest standards to improve both the treatment and prevention of many cancers.
Together, researchers and doctors here are discovering new therapies that can detect cancer earlier on, which is especially critical in lung cancer and mesothelioma.
To fulfill this mission, cancer doctors and scientists here conduct in depth research to find the mechanisms that cause cancer to develop in otherwise normal cells. Also, our clinical research scientists come up with new forms of cancer diagnosis and therapy. Further, public health scientists develop and apply new cancer research knowledge to help you to recover from your cancer diagnosis.
Fred Hutch is completely dedicated to coming up with new discoveries and quickly translating them into new cancer therapies. It also recruits, supports and trains the most highly qualified cancer researchers and doctors in a collaborative environment that encourages excellence.
This cancer center has been designated an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center and its roster of well known scientists and researchers includes seven members of the National Academy of Sciences and five members of the Institute of Medicine. One of the scientists here also is a MacArthur fellow.
Of course, Fred Hutch knows that cancer research involves a lot more than just looking for new treatments. This center is the home to the largest and oldest cancer prevention program in the country. It has made many valuable contributions to understanding the ways that diet, exercise and other factors can cut the risk of getting cancer.
Legal Help Washington
If you have suffered exposure or cancer due to asbestos in Washington, contact for Washington Asbestos lawsuit information to learn more about your legal rights.
