Mesothelioma Statistics, Facts and Information

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Mesothelioma in the United States

Approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. The CDC collects information on both mesothelioma incidence rate and mortality to provide information regarding how many patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma and die from the cancer. The most recent information spans from 1999 to 2015 or 2016.

Mesothelioma statistics can also be broken out by state, which may offer information regarding areas with natural asbestos exposure, prevalence of high-risk occupations and other risk factors. The southern United States faced the most diagnosed cases of mesothelioma with 17,330 cases from 1999 – 2015. The midwest followed with 12,935 diagnosed cases, the northeast with 12,687 and the west with 11,466. Broken down by state, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York and Texas had the highest rate of mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths.

Mesothelioma Statistics by Age & Gender

There are many potential risk factors for developing mesothelioma, including sex and age. The types of occupations that men and women held impacts these numbers, as men often held jobs that were at higher risk of occupational exposure during the height of asbestos use. The latency period also affects age-related statistics, as mesothelioma symptoms take 10 – 50 years to develop, increasing the average age at diagnosis.

All diagnosis statistics listed below are for 1999 – 2015 and death statistics are for 1999 – 2016.

Those diagnosed at early stages often face better survival rates than those diagnosed in the later stages, largely due to cancer progression and the amount of treatment options available. With malignant pleural mesothelioma being the most common type, the American Cancer Society has established average survival rates based on stage. Other forms of mesothelioma are more rare cancer types with limited stage-specific survival rates and mortality data available.

Global Mesothelioma Statistics

A recent study found that an estimated 38,400 deaths occur globally each year from mesothelioma, and the World Health Organization estimates 43,000 per year, demonstrating that mesothelioma cancer is a global issue not confined to the United States. The countries with the most reports of mesothelioma diagnoses include the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Malta, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. Countries with some of the lowest rates include Japan and Central Europe.

Countries with Asbestos Bans

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma and is also known to cause asbestosis, asbestos cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. Countries around the world have committed to banning the carcinogen, and many continue to advocate for a worldwide ban.

Currently, these countries have set a national asbestos ban:

Mesothelioma facts and statistics regarding the amount of diagnosed cases each year and worldwide deaths can help demonstrate the risk of asbestos and need for a global ban.

Early History of Mesothelioma

From discovering a link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma to discovering new chemotherapy drugs, mesothelioma research has played a crucial role in the development of early diagnostic tools and effective treatment options. Research over the past few decades has also played an important role in developing the facts and statistics about mesothelioma that we know today.

1900s – 1920s

After the first case of asbestosis is found in 1899, asbestos is then linked to 50 deaths. The first cases of lung disease as a result of asbestos are confirmed. In 1918, the United States Department of Labor noted that there is an urgent need for an investigation into the risks of asbestos. The first case of asbestosis is found in British literature between 1924 and 1927. Reports also find that the average age at the time of death for individuals diagnosed with asbestosis is 41 years of age. During the 1920s, more than 25 asbestos-related articles were published.

1930s

Cases of asbestosis continue to emerge, especially in manufacturing plants, mills and asbestos job sites. Research finds that a longer length and higher level of asbestos exposure leads to a higher risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. Case studies also prove that even brief exposure puts people at risk. In the late 1930s, research finds poor survival rates for those dying of asbestosis, and cases of asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestos cancer rise. Throughout the 1930s, more than 150 asbestos-related articles are published.

1940s

As occupational exposure poses a larger and larger issue, it becomes clear that workers need to be educated on the risks of asbestos. United States Navy sites are tested and found to contain high amounts of asbestos. In Germany, workers are granted compensation for being diagnosed with asbestosis and lung cancer as a result of their exposure. In 1943, the first documented case of pleural mesothelioma emerges. Throughout the 1940s, more than 50 new asbestos-related articles are published.

1950s

Large case numbers of lung cancer and asbestosis continue to emerge throughout the 1950s. A strong connection is found between insulation containing asbestos and workers falling ill, especially as an insulation worker is diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Throughout the 1950s more than 125 new asbestos-related articles are published.

1960s

Numerous cases of mesothelioma arise, and links are seen between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure with miners, mill workers and shipyard workers. Asbestos plant workers are seen to have the highest mortality rates. In 1965, nine diagnosed cases of mesothelioma emerged in family members of asbestos workers, proving the chance and dangers of secondhand exposure. Throughout the 1960s, more than 200 asbestos- and mesothelioma-related articles are published.

1970s

1973 marked the height of asbestos demand, which dropped dramatically within the next few years as the risks of asbestos exposure become well-known. Cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses continued to rise, and federal legislation begins to limit the use of asbestos. Meanwhile, research strives to make advances in mesothelioma treatment, as the first extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is performed and chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin are used to treat the disease. Throughout the 1970s, over 1,000 articles regarding mesothelioma and asbestos were published.

1980s – 1990s

Though asbestos use greatly declined after the 1970s, there was a peak in mesothelioma cases throughout the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. Research begins to expand for the different types of mesothelioma and more information is collected regarding the types of asbestos and the dangers they pose. Latency period is also recognized, along with jobs that posed the highest risk of exposure. Popular asbestos-containing materials are phased out, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) puts forth new regulations and standards regarding the use and handling of asbestos.

2000s

Due to its long latency period, mesothelioma cases continue to emerge with as many as 2,596 deaths being reported in 2015. New treatments have been studied and shown success in extending survival, such as the use of surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma. As of today, asbestos is still not fully banned and members of the mesothelioma community continue to fight for a full ban on the carcinogenic material.

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