A group of international researchers has published a noteworthy article concluding that the number of U.S. mesothelioma cases significantly increased from 1999 through 2011, then gradually declined through 2020. The scientists noted the higher incidence of the asbestos-related disease among individuals aged 75 years and older, men, and White populations. The group concludes that enhanced screening of at-risk groups, enhanced public health policies that limit asbestos exposure, and community awareness initiatives about environmental risks may help prevent increases in incidence in the future, especially in women, a group where they saw a slight upward trend in incidence.
Mesothelioma Researchers Use CDC Data to Assess Disease Incidence
The research, titled A Retrospective Epidemiological Study of Mesothelioma in the United States (1999-2020) Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) Data, appeared in the journal Cureous. Relying on previously collected information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the group’s analysis found that mesothelioma incidence peaked in 2011 with significantly higher rates among individuals aged 75 years and older compared to younger age groups, in men compared to women, and in White populations compared to other races.
Mesothelioma is notorious for its long latency, which generally means that 30-40 years can pass from the time of a patient’s first asbestos exposure to when the disease begins to manifest. The median estimated survival is between eight and 14 months, and the disease has a five-year relative survival rate of only 12 percent. This is significantly lower than the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined, which is 69.1 percent, and clearly demonstrates the challenges of treating the disease.
Mesothelioma Commonly Linked to Occupational and Environmental Asbestos
The demographic groups that the mesothelioma researchers found to be most affected have long been known anecdotally: Men are more affected than women because they face more common exposure in occupations where asbestos has historically seen heavy use, including mining, shipbuilding, and construction. In recent years, there has also been an upward trend in cases among women that have been linked to environmental asbestos exposure, including secondary asbestos exposure and exposure from consumer products.
Racial and ethnic differences in mesothelioma incidence were also reported, with White populations showing comparatively higher incidence rates than other groups. The one area where the disease’s incidence is consistent is in the age of diagnosis, with the median at approximately 74 years.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.