Asbestos has been used in every kind of building component from roofing to installation for more than 100 years. Unfortunately, it was only a few decades ago that health officials realized that asbestos can cause cancer, particularly mesothelioma. Another disease that is the result of the asbestos exposure is asbestosis. Symptoms of this disease included shortness of breath and coughing. Even though the disease can cause serious disability and even death, most people focus on cancers. Mesothelioma affects the thin membrane surrounding the lung. Many people will not experience symptoms until years after the exposure occurred. The cancer is almost always deadly. Lung cancer, which is also usually fatal, is often diagnosed in patients as well. There have been hundreds of successful lawsuits surrounding asbestos exposure. Sadly, some of them are filed by families after a loved one has passed away since many people die within months of being diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer.