Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer yet it is considered to be one of the most aggressive cancers with a very low survival rate. There are about 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosis every year in the United States only. It is especially found in people who have a history of working in places were asbestos was used extensively. These include individuals like navy veterans, plumbers, shipbuilders, electricians, construction workers, insulators, welders, and railroad workers.

Mesothelioma Facts

Mesothelioma is a disease which has a long latency period of about 20-50 years and can be wrongly diagnosed if special care is not taken. Its symptoms are similar to other common diseases associated to lungs like breathlessness or fatigue. The symptoms usually occur when the patients are in their old age and approximately 75% of them are over the age of 65. Its latency period is quite long, it is usually diagnosed only in the advanced stages and the survival rate is about one year after diagnosis. But if it is diagnosed at an early case, its survival rate is about 5 years. At times with effective treatment options and alternative therapies there have been studies indicating that people have lived longer than 5 years.

Studies also indicate that not everybody who has had asbestos exposure is prone to this disease. At times even secondary exposure can lead to mesothelioma. Doctors are unable to find out why some do not get this disease in spite of prolonged exposure. Studies also indicate that some family members have contracted this disease due to breathing in asbestos fibers which were attached to the clothes of those working in a place with asbestos.

Mesothelioma Statistics

• In the US, about 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are reported every year. However, over 10,000 cases are diagnosed every year around the world.
• 80 percent of all cases are due to asbestos exposure on the job and due to negligence of the employers.
• Men are prone to get this disease three times more than women. The sole reason for this is that they work more in jobs where asbestos exposure is likely.
• Mesothelioma victims are generally 65 years old or older. However patients with second-hand exposure are generally younger.
• It has a long latency period; at times people have not been diagnosed even after 50 years of asbestos exposure.
• The one-year survival rate for mesothelioma is about 40-45 percent. However, the five-year survival rate is quite low and is about 10 percent
• The average length of survival is approximately 10-12 months after diagnosis. This however, is dependent on the age of victims and their general overall health

These facts and statistics can help people become more aware of this deadly disease and go in for early detection instead of waiting till they are in stage three or four, making treatment difficult.