Mesothelioma is a quite rare disease. In the USA 2,000 to 3,000 cases are registered each, but this amount is increasing. Usually mesothelioma is assigned at the age of 50 – 70 years old. The disease is much more common for men than for women (3-5 times greater). African Americans are less influenced by this disease than white Americans.
Frequency of mesothelioma
Frequency: Internationally mesothelioma is diagnosed in 0.9 cases per 100,000 patients.
Mortality/Morbidity: 11 months is the median survival for patients with malignant mesothelioma. In most of the cases it is fatal. The survival that is based on histological type is 12.5 months for epithelial, 9.4 months for sarcomatous, and 11 months for mixed. As it was said earlier asbestos exposure is the cause of at least 50% malignant mesothelioma cases. Until now approximately 8 million people in the USA have been exposed to asbestos either in the workplace or at home by asbestos dust embedded in the worker’s clothing.
Race: There are no evidences of a racial predilection of mesothelioma. So we can say that race is not a factor
Sex: Malignant mesothelioma is less common in women. A female-to-male ratio is 1:3. Mesothelioma was also found in children; but these cases are not associated with asbestos exposure.
Age: Usually malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed 35-45 years after asbestos exposure. The mediate age of diagnostics is the fifth to seventh decade of life.
Mesothelioma is indeed a rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the mesothelial lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and, in rare cases, the heart. The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a mineral that was widely used in construction and other industries for many years. Due to the long latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma (often 20-50 years), it remains a concern even though asbestos use has significantly declined in many countries.
Here are some statistics related to mesothelioma:
- Incidence: Mesothelioma is considered a rare cancer, with relatively low incidence rates compared to more common types of cancer like breast or lung cancer. The exact incidence varies by region, but it is generally estimated at 1-2 cases per 100,000 people annually.
- Demographics: Mesothelioma is more commonly diagnosed in older individuals, typically over the age of 65. This is because it takes many years for asbestos-related damage to lead to mesothelioma.
- Gender: Mesothelioma is more commonly diagnosed in men than in women. This is largely due to the historical prevalence of asbestos exposure in male-dominated industries.
- Asbestos Exposure: The vast majority of mesothelioma cases are directly related to asbestos exposure. Occupations with a high risk of asbestos exposure include construction, shipbuilding, mining, and various industrial trades.
- Prognosis: Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat successfully. The prognosis for mesothelioma is generally poor, with a relatively short life expectancy after diagnosis. However, early detection and advances in treatment options may improve outcomes for some patients.
- Legal Implications: Due to the clear link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, there have been numerous lawsuits and legal settlements related to asbestos-related diseases. Many companies that used asbestos have faced lawsuits for failing to protect workers from asbestos exposure.
It’s important to note that mesothelioma incidence and outcomes can vary significantly by region and population, and these statistics are subject to change over time. If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos or has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is essential to seek medical advice and legal counsel to understand the available treatment options and potential for legal recourse.
World Facts about Mesothelioma and Asbestos:
– Over the next 30 years deaths are expected to increase at least 1 million.
– The usage of the asbestos in the developing world is exactly the same as in the USA until 1980.
– The asbestos-related mortality has its peak at 7,500 in 1991, so the death toll in the USA will far outnumber the deaths caused by mesothelioma.
– It is ease to prevent these deaths by using a face mask, the price of which is just hundred rupees or a few dollars.
– The usage of asbestos in the USA dropped from a peak of 800,000 metric tons in 1973 to 21,000 tons in 1996. It happened only after many large legal battles.
– 171,500 workers in the United States have died of asbestos related cancers in the past 30 years, so asbestos related cancers can be called the worst occupational health disaster of the century.
– The epidemic will wind down in 2025 but about 119,000 U.S additional deaths are expected before.
– It cost $50 billion over the past 20 years to remove asbestos out of all public places. It is not founded because once installed the risk of exposure is minimum. Only a worker installing it has a risk being exposed to asbestos.
– USA spends $3 million a year on removing asbestos from U.S. buildings despite this minimal risk.
– The cost of each life saved by removal of asbestos is $100 million to $500 million.
“The CDC reports that the mesothelioma death rate in the U.S. between 1999 and 2015 was eight deaths per one million people. The total number of deaths was 45,221 for the entire population of the country. The United Kingdom has the highest death rate for mesothelioma globally, with 17.8 deaths per million people between 1994 and 2008. The mesothelioma death rate reported by the CDC has been relatively stable. In 1999, 2,479 people in the U.S. died from mesothelioma. That number rose to 2,579 deaths in 2015, a small increase.[2] The life expectancy for mesothelioma is not long, so the annual death rate is similar to the incidence of about 3,000 new diagnoses per year.[3]”
source: Mesothelioma.net