Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of work-related deaths in Saskatchewan, accounting for 25 percent of work-related deaths in the past decade.

Raeleen Minchuk suffers from stage four mesothelioma. She believes the cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos released during home renovations when she was a child. 

"Most people think because asbestos is in the past that it's not effecting in the present day and that's where they're sadly mistaken," said Minchuk.

Now, Minchuk is an advocate for Work Safe Saskatchewan.

"I would never want somebody to experience or go through what I've gone through, having lost three-quarters of my abdominal cavity, being left with only seven feet of intestines in a bag. Although I don't look sick, I'm very sick, and it's a daily struggle every day. I just want to use my story to inspire people to think before they act because all too often many don't and think it won't happen to them."

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many residential and commercial building materials from the 1950s to the 1990s because of its strong fibres and resistance to fire. Common building materials that contain asbestos include flooring products, plaster, drywall joint compound, thermal insulation, fireproofing, and acoustic ceiling tiles.

When asbestos is disturbed during renovations, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air and inhaled. Asbestos fibres can get trapped into the lungs and cause serious health problems in the future, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Minchuk said the cost of asbestos abatement, or removal, is worth it.

"The cost is high but the cost of your life is a lot more expensive, you know what I mean? I would give any amount of money to change what happened to me."

Occupation-related diseases are typically diagnosed years after exposure - as many as 35 years later in Minchuk's case - so be sure to see your doctor if you think you have been exposed to asbestos.