A study published in a recent edition of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society reports a significant drop in malignant mesothelioma mortality rates between 1990 and 2019. The study’s authors conclude that the decrease in global age-standardized incidence of the asbestos-related disease is due to improvements that have been made in worldwide occupational settings.
South Korean Study Examines Mesothelioma Burden
The study showed that the incidence rate of mesothelioma dropped by 12.6 percent over the 30 years, and the mortality rate dropped by 9.6%. It was conducted by scientists at the College of Medicine at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea using registration and cancer registry data. According to Jonghoon Han, “This study would be useful for policymakers to assess the burden of mesothelioma and carry out appropriate plans against this cancer and its risk factors.”
The study showed that there were 34,511 incident cases of mesothelioma and 29,251 deaths in 2019, reflecting a rate of 0.43 per 100,000 people, and a death rate of 0.36 deaths per 100,000 people. The region with the highest age-standardized incidence rate was Australasia with 2.2 per 100,000 person-years, while the region with the lowest incidence rate was western sub-Saharan Africa with 0.12 per 100,000 person-years.
Central Europe Sees Mesothelioma Rates Increase
There were significant regional differences in the incidence rate of the rare, asbestos-related disease, with Central Europe seeing a mesothelioma rate increase of 46.1% and a mortality rate increase of 55.6%, while both Andean Latin America and North America seeing incidence rate decreases of 49.5% and 18.4% respectively between 2019 and 1990, and mortality rate decreases of 48% and 14.7% respectively. Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom had the highest incidence rates and age-standardized mortality rates.
The researchers found a nonlinear relationship between survival and sociodemographic index but attributed the majority of the incidents of mesothelioma to occupational exposure to asbestos. They concluded, “Further research is required to assess the effects of factors associated with mesothelioma incidence other than exposure to asbestos and to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of this cancer.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
