Which disease's risk significantly increases if the individual also smokes cigarettes?

The risk of lung cancer significantly increases for individuals exposed to asbestos who also smoke cigarettes due to the synergistic effects of these two carcinogens. Smoking alone is a well-known risk factor for lung cancer, and when combined with asbestos exposure, the likelihood of developing lung cancer is heightened substantially. Studies have shown that the risk of lung cancer in asbestos workers who smoke is much greater than for those who do not smoke, highlighting the dangerous interaction between asbestos and tobacco smoke.

Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and chronic bronchitis are conditions associated with asbestos exposure as well; however, the specific interaction that intensifies lung cancer risk when combined with smoking stands out. While smoking can also contribute to chronic bronchitis, the intensity of risk regarding lung cancer from the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly noteworthy in medical literature and public health discussions.