Although the connection between asbestos and lung cancer is more difficult to prove in a specific lawsuit, there is no doubt that long term or high level asbestos exposure is directly linked to increasing rates of both small cell and non-small cell types of lung cancer. Both types of lung cancer have similar symptoms which often are missed by both the individual as well as the doctor until the cancer is significant and may even have aggressively and rapidly spread to other areas of the body. The early signs of lung cancer from asbestos exposure are similar to those cause from other carcinogens and include coughing, increased colds and respiratory infections, chronic fatigue and lack of energy, chest pains when breathing, problems breathing, headaches, weight loss and overall poor health. Most people don't go to the doctor until the symptoms are significant, which also means that the cancer is well established and often untreatable. Diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy that allows the doctor to look for the various types of cancerous cells within a tissue sample from the lungs.