1.Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness.
2.A persistent cough that gets worse over time.
3.Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs.
4.Pain or tightening in the chest.
5.Difficulty swallowing.
6.Swelling of the neck or face.
7.Loss of appetite.
8.Weight loss.
9.Fatigue or anemia.
A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. The chest x–ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to note that chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, but they can help identify any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure .
Studies have shown that computed tomography (CT) (a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine) may be more effective than conventional chest x-rays at detecting asbestos-related lung abnormalities in individuals who have been exposed to asbestos .
