Asbestosis, a lung disease developed by people with a known history of exposure to asbestos, has symptoms identical to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). As per a new study, exposure to asbestos could be the reason behind some cases of IPF. Presently, people with asbestosis cannot access the new treatments for IPF, despite the consideration that such treatments work on curing a disease with identical symptoms. If the findings of the study are confirmed, then people with exposure to asbestos need to be given access to the new treatments for IPF.
Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest reason to believe in the link proposed by the new study?
A. Another study has confirmed that the old treatments for IPF cannot cure asbestosis.
B. The usual treatments for asbestosis do not treat IPF.
C. Since both the diseases have identical symptoms, patients with a known history of exposure to asbestos are more likely to be diagnosed with asbestosis than with IPF.
D. IPF belongs to a group of more than 200 lung diseases known as interstitial lung diseases, a group that includes asbestosis.
E. High rates of IPF deaths have been noted in ship workers working with boilers, wall insulation turbines, gaskets etc.. parts made typically of asbestos.