- Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Facts
- Mesothelioma Symptoms
- Mesothelioma Awareness
- Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma Causes
- Mesothelioma Risk Factors
- Mesothelioma Incidence
- Mesothelioma Diagnosis
- Mesothelioma Tests
- Mesothelioma Biopsy
- Mesothelioma Blood Test
- Mesothelioma Pathology
- Mesothelioma Prognosis
- Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
- Mesothelioma Life Span
- Mesothelioma Survival Rate
- Mesothelioma Survivors
- Mesothelioma Death Rate
- Mesothelioma Types
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
- Biphasic Mesothelioma
- Epithelial Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Staging
- Mesothelioma Metastasis
Mesothelioma Facts
Mesothelioma is rare when compared to other cancers, yet it remains a serious threat. Although there is presently no known mesothelioma cure, research has revealed other facts and statistics that have helped doctors understand the nature of the cancer.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, and approximately 80 percent of total cases can be linked to a job where asbestos was present. Employees at industrial and construction industries – among others - commonly came into contact with these fibers and often transported the fibers home on their clothing.
In certain occupations, mesothelioma patients were exposed to naturally occurring asbestos deposits in locations where the mineral was mined or refined. Only in extremely rare cases is mesothelioma caused by non-asbestos mineral fibers.
Mesothelioma Statistics
- Between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are recorded annually in the United States.
- Men develop mesothelioma approximately three times more than women do.
- Symptoms of mesothelioma typically take between 20 and 50 years to arise from the time of someone's original exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma Risk
Certain industries were prominent users of asbestos products and placed their workers at an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma. The families of people who worked with asbestos also have a strong possibility of developing the disease. High-risk occupations include but are not limited to the following:
- Shipyard workers
- Auto Mechanics
- Boilermakers
- Chemical plant workers
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Miners
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Power plant workers
- Railroad workers
- Steamfitters
- Welders
Smoking also greatly increases an individual's risk of developing mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can be much more threatening when the respiratory system has already been weakened by smoking.