Mesothelioma is a rare in complex cancer caused exclusively by exposure to asbestos. Because mesothelioma it is so rare, researchers believe that it is often misdiagnosed. Sadly, mesothelioma is a rapidly moving cancer, which often kills its victims within just months of diagnosis.
Some facts related to mesothelioma:
- The United States sees about 2000 to 3000 new mesothelioma diagnoses per year
- According to the most recent research, mesothelioma is generally developed about 25 to 50 years after the victim’s initial exposure to asbestos.
- Despite an apparent peak in the number of mesothelioma diagnosis in the United States, worldwide the incidence of mesothelioma diagnoses are continuing to rise annually.
- Researchers estimate that this rare form of cancer affects between 2% to 10% of the total number of people who have had heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos.
- Men are over four times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women.
- According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 1940 and 1978 11 million people were exposed to asbestos.
