Is There a Cure for Asbestos-Related Illnesses?
There is currently no cure for asbestos-related illnesses. That is a difficult truth, but an honest one — because understanding what treatment can realistically achieve matters just as much as knowing its limits. Conditions like asbestosis, mesothelioma, pleural thickening, and asbestos-related lung cancer are caused by microscopic fibres that become permanently lodged in lung tissue. Once that damage is done, it cannot be fully reversed.
What medicine can do — and does increasingly well — is manage symptoms, slow progression, extend survival, and meaningfully improve quality of life. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, this article walks through the realistic treatment landscape in plain terms.
Understanding the Main Asbestos-Related Conditions
Before exploring treatment options, it helps to understand what each condition involves, because management strategies differ significantly between them.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by long-term asbestos exposure. Fibres cause scarring — known as fibrosis — of lung tissue, which progressively reduces breathing capacity. It is not cancer, but it is serious, irreversible, and can significantly affect quality of life over time.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or, less commonly, the heart. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and typically has a long latency period — symptoms may not appear for decades after initial exposure.
Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer
Distinct from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer affects the lung tissue itself. Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk, particularly in those who have also smoked. The combination of asbestos exposure and smoking is especially dangerous.
Pleural Thickening and Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are areas of scar tissue on the lining of the lungs. They are not cancerous and rarely cause symptoms, but they are a recognised marker of past asbestos exposure. Pleural thickening — where the lining becomes extensively scarred — can cause breathlessness and chest discomfort that affects daily life.
Managing Asbestosis: What Treatment Looks Like
There is no treatment that reverses the fibrosis caused by asbestosis. Management focuses entirely on protecting remaining lung function, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications from developing further.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most effective interventions available for asbestosis patients. It is a structured programme — usually delivered through the NHS — combining supervised exercise, breathing technique education, and psychological support.
- Aerobic exercise such as walking and cycling helps maintain cardiovascular fitness and improves how efficiently the body uses oxygen
- Strength and resistance training builds the muscle endurance needed when breathing becomes more effortful
- Breathing technique coaching helps patients get more from each breath
- Energy conservation strategies reduce the impact of fatigue on daily activities
- Psychological support addresses the anxiety and low mood that often accompany chronic illness
Patients who engage consistently with pulmonary rehabilitation typically report significant improvements in their ability to manage daily life, even when their underlying lung function does not change dramatically.
Oxygen Therapy
When asbestosis reduces the lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen efficiently into the bloodstream, supplemental oxygen becomes necessary. Delivered via nasal cannula or face mask, oxygen therapy directly addresses breathlessness and fatigue during daily activities.
Some patients require oxygen only during exercise or sleep. Others need continuous support. Portable oxygen concentrators allow greater freedom of movement for those on long-term therapy, and the aim is to keep blood oxygen saturation at safe levels — reducing strain on the heart and preventing secondary complications like pulmonary hypertension.
Medications for Asbestosis
No medication reverses asbestosis, but several can meaningfully reduce symptoms and slow deterioration:
- Bronchodilators — inhaled medications that relax and widen the airways, making breathing easier
- Corticosteroids — reduce airway inflammation and can ease coughing and breathlessness, typically used in short courses
- Mucolytics and expectorants — thin mucus to make it easier to clear from the lungs
- Diuretics — help manage fluid retention, particularly useful where pleural effusion is present
- Analgesics — manage chest pain, particularly where pleural involvement causes discomfort
- Antibiotics — not for asbestosis itself, but important for treating respiratory infections promptly, as these can cause rapid deterioration in people with compromised lung function
Vaccinations
People with asbestosis should stay up to date with flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccinations. A respiratory infection that most people shake off within a week can be genuinely dangerous for someone with significantly reduced lung capacity. Speak to your GP about ensuring your vaccination schedule is current.
Treating Mesothelioma: A Rapidly Evolving Field
Mesothelioma has historically had a poor prognosis, but the treatment landscape has changed considerably in recent years. Several approaches are now available, and ongoing clinical trials continue to push outcomes forward for patients across the UK.
Surgery
Where mesothelioma is caught at an early stage and the patient is fit enough, surgery may be an option. Approaches include pleurectomy/decortication — removing the lining of the lung — or the more extensive extrapleural pneumonectomy, which involves removing the lung itself along with surrounding tissue.
Surgery is not suitable for all patients. Where it is appropriate, however, it can significantly extend survival and is often combined with other treatments to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy remains a core treatment for mesothelioma, typically using a combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin. It can shrink tumours, slow progression, and extend life. It is also used alongside surgery in eligible patients to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy has been one of the most significant advances in mesothelioma treatment in recent years. These drugs work by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively.
- Nivolumab combined with ipilimumab — this combination has shown strong results in clinical trials, improving survival rates compared to chemotherapy alone, and is now an established first-line option for some mesothelioma patients
- Pembrolizumab — used in certain cases, particularly where other treatments have not been effective
Immunotherapy does not work for every patient, but for those who respond, the results can be substantial and are continuing to improve as research progresses.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is used primarily to manage pain and local symptoms rather than to cure mesothelioma. It can be effective at targeting specific areas of tumour growth and is frequently used palliatively to improve quality of life and control discomfort.
Tumour Treating Fields
Tumour Treating Fields (TTFields) is a newer technology involving the application of low-intensity electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division. Patients wear a portable device that delivers TTFields directly to the affected area. It has shown promise in extending progression-free survival when used alongside chemotherapy, and research into its application in mesothelioma is ongoing.
Clinical Trials
For mesothelioma patients, clinical trials represent a genuine and important option — not a last resort. Trials are currently investigating approaches including gene therapy, targeted molecular treatments, and novel immunotherapy combinations. Your specialist team can advise on eligibility for current trials, and the NHS provides information on available trials through its partnership with Cancer Research UK.
Participation in trials benefits both individual patients and the wider medical community’s understanding of this disease. It is always worth asking your oncologist what trials you may be eligible for.
Living Well with an Asbestos-Related Illness
Medical treatment is only part of the picture. Day-to-day management and lifestyle choices have a real and measurable impact on how well people live with these conditions over time.
Stop Smoking
If you smoke and have an asbestos-related condition, stopping is the single most impactful thing you can do. Smoking dramatically worsens lung function, accelerates disease progression in asbestosis, and significantly increases lung cancer risk. Your GP can refer you to NHS Stop Smoking Services, and there are highly effective medications and support programmes available at no cost.
Stay Active Within Your Limits
It can feel counterintuitive to exercise when breathing is difficult, but staying active maintains the muscle strength that supports respiratory function. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and cycling are generally well tolerated. Your pulmonary rehabilitation team can advise on safe levels of activity for your specific situation.
Nutrition
A balanced diet supports immune function and helps maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the workload on already-compromised lungs. Significant weight loss is common in mesothelioma patients and needs to be actively managed — ask for a dietitian referral if appetite or weight is a concern.
Air Quality at Home
Reducing exposure to indoor irritants can make a meaningful difference to respiratory symptoms. Practical steps include:
- Avoiding aerosol sprays and chemical cleaning products where possible
- Using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce humidity and mould
- Keeping windows open when weather allows for natural ventilation
- Considering a HEPA air purifier in rooms where you spend the most time
Mental Health and Emotional Support
A diagnosis of mesothelioma or a progressive lung condition carries a significant psychological weight. Anxiety, depression, and grief are common and completely understandable responses. Do not try to manage these alone — ask your GP for a referral to talking therapies, or contact charities such as Mesothelioma UK, which provides specialist nurse support and emotional care at no cost.
Regular Monitoring
Attend all follow-up appointments without fail. For asbestosis, regular monitoring allows your medical team to catch deterioration early and adjust treatment accordingly. For mesothelioma, close monitoring allows timely responses to changes in the tumour or your symptoms.
Compensation and Legal Rights
If your illness was caused by workplace asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. The UK has legal routes available, including civil claims against former employers — even if the company no longer exists — and the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme for those unable to trace a former employer or their insurer.
Specialist asbestos disease solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis in most cases. Organisations like Mesothelioma UK and the British Lung Foundation can help connect you with appropriate legal support and guide you through the claims process.
Preventing Exposure: The Role Asbestos Surveys Play
Asbestos-related illness is a consequence of exposure — and the most important thing we can do now is prevent further exposure from occurring. Asbestos remains present in a very large number of buildings constructed before 2000 in the UK, and it continues to pose a risk wherever it is disturbed or deteriorating.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, duty holders — including landlords, employers, and building managers — are legally required to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. This means knowing where it is, what condition it is in, and ensuring it is managed or removed appropriately. HSE guidance, including HSG264, sets out exactly how surveys should be conducted and what they must cover.
Domestic properties are not exempt from risk. Homeowners planning renovations on pre-2000 homes should always have an asbestos survey carried out before any work begins. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials during a DIY project is one of the most common routes to residential asbestos exposure in the UK today.
Different situations call for different types of survey. A management survey is appropriate for occupied buildings where you need to identify and manage asbestos in place. A refurbishment survey is required before any intrusive work or renovation takes place. A demolition survey must be completed before any structure is brought down. And where an asbestos management plan is already in place, a re-inspection survey ensures the condition of known materials is monitored over time.
Supernova Asbestos Surveys operates across the UK, with teams covering major cities and regions. Whether you need an asbestos survey in London, an asbestos survey in Manchester, or an asbestos survey in Birmingham, our accredited surveyors can help you meet your legal obligations and protect the people who use your building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cure for asbestos-related diseases?
No, there is currently no cure for asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, or pleural thickening. The damage caused by asbestos fibres lodged in lung tissue is irreversible. However, treatment has advanced significantly, and medical teams can manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life considerably. For mesothelioma in particular, immunotherapy and clinical trials have produced meaningful improvements in survival outcomes in recent years.
What is the life expectancy for someone diagnosed with mesothelioma?
Life expectancy varies depending on the stage of diagnosis, the type of mesothelioma, the patient’s overall health, and the treatment pathway followed. Historically, prognosis has been poor, but newer treatments — particularly immunotherapy combinations — have improved outcomes for many patients. Your specialist team is the right source of information for your individual situation, as generalised figures do not reflect the full picture of what is now achievable.
Can asbestosis get worse over time even if exposure has stopped?
Yes. Asbestosis is a progressive condition, meaning it can continue to worsen even after asbestos exposure has ended. The fibres permanently embedded in lung tissue continue to cause ongoing inflammation and scarring. The rate of progression varies between individuals. Regular monitoring, pulmonary rehabilitation, and avoiding additional lung irritants such as cigarette smoke can help slow deterioration and manage symptoms effectively.
Who is legally responsible for managing asbestos in a building?
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises falls on the duty holder — typically the building owner, employer, or managing agent responsible for the property. This duty includes identifying the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials, maintaining an asbestos register, and implementing a management plan. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. HSE guidance, particularly HSG264, sets out the requirements in detail.
Do I need an asbestos survey before renovating a pre-2000 property?
Yes, and this applies to both commercial and domestic properties. Any building constructed before 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials in a wide range of locations — insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe lagging, and more. Before any refurbishment or demolition work begins, a survey must be carried out to identify and assess these materials. Disturbing asbestos without knowing it is there is one of the most preventable causes of asbestos exposure in the UK today.
Speak to Supernova Asbestos Surveys
Preventing asbestos exposure is the only way to stop more people facing the devastating illnesses described in this article. If you manage a commercial property, are planning building work, or want peace of mind about a property you own or occupy, Supernova Asbestos Surveys can help.
With over 50,000 surveys completed nationwide, our accredited team delivers fast, reliable, and fully compliant asbestos surveys across the UK. Call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to book your survey or speak to our team about your requirements.