- Asbestos fibers typically are introduced into the body through inhalation. Basically, anytime a material containing asbestos is disturbed---such as when it's cut, sanded, damaged or broken---particles are released into the air. These particles contain asbestos fibers, which are often jagged or sharp and can easily be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity.
- Once the fibers have been inhaled, they may pass into the lungs, where they essentially do their damage. The asbestos fibers begin to work their way into the tissue (mesothelium) surrounding the lungs, heart or abdomen. The jagged or sharp edges of the asbestos fibers basically cling to this membrane and begin to irritate the tissue. From here, the medical theories diverge.
- The first theory is that the irritation from asbestos results in something called an "inflammatory immune response," which is basically the way in which the body defends against bacteria and disease. As the body tries to protect itself, scars begin to develop in the tissue surrounding the area of irritation and inflammation. This scar tissue can lead to cellular damage, which could eventually lead to cancer.
- The second theory involves the actual structure of the cells. When the asbestos fibers irritate the mesothelium, they actually enter the cells and essentially disrupt the overall function of the cells. This causes the cells to mutate during cell division, according to the National Cancer Institute. This mutation can eventually result in cancerous cells, which multiply at a faster rate than "healthy cells."
- The third theory involves the creation of free radicals, which are basically unstable molecules with an independent existence that seek to bond with other molecules. What is believed, according to the Mesothelioma Cancer Center, is that these free radicals created by asbestos fibers bond with molecules in DNA. This damages the DNA of the cells, which causes mutations that could eventually lead to cancer.
