FAQs

Mesothelioma and asbestos were first linked in the early 1930’s by an English pathologist. The first academic paper examining the connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma was written and published a decade later by German scholar H.W. Wedler. He found that 20% of German asbestos workers developed cancers, including mesothelioma.

By the 1950s, more studies revealed connections between asbestos, respiratory illness, and cancer. During the next two decades, further studies confirmed the connection between asbestos exposure among U.S. workers and cancer, particularly mesothelioma.

The first legal victory requiring manufacturers to warn workers of asbestos risks occurred in 1969. It wasn’t until the 1970s, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared asbestos a hazardous pollutant, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration set standards for workplace exposure to asbestos. In 1989 the EPA banned the use of asbestos in new materials.

Many occupations put workers and their families at risk for mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Examples of such high-risk occupations include:

• Asbestos mining/processing
• Construction (particularly insulation installation and demolition)
• Boiler maintenance
• Factory workers
• Brake mechanics
• Shipyard worker
• Power plant workers
• Selected military personnel
• Pipefitters
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Textile mill workers

Despite its hazards, asbestos is a relatively inexpensive and effective material with a variety of uses. Not only was it abundant, being a natural element found in rock, it was easily mined. Asbestos was particularly valued for its insulating and fire-retardant properties, as well as its strong fibers and flexibility.

Until the mid-1970s, when the health risks associated with the use of asbestos could no longer be easily ignored by industry, asbestos was widely utilized by various industries. The automotive, construction, and shipbuilding industries, among others, relied on asbestos for a variety of uses. And some asbestos-containing materials still remain in buildings, ships, and automobiles to this day.

Examples of asbestos-containing products frequently utilized before 1975 include:

• Textiles
• Paper products
• Roofing products
• Boilers and heating vessels,
• Cement pipe,
• Clutch, brake, and transmission components,
• Conduits for electrical wire,
• Corrosive chemical containers,
• Electric motor components,
• Pipe covering,
• Roofing products,
• Sealants and coatings, and
• Insulation products

The “latency period” as related to mesothelioma refers to the period of time between the first exposure to asbestos and the appearance of the disease. The latency period for mesothelioma varies but can be as short as fifteen years and as long as sixty years.

It is important to note that many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma are easily mistaken for common, minor ailments. Symptoms of mesothelioma often persist for at least a few months before they are diagnosed. General Symptoms of Mesothelioma may include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Excessive sweating
• Blood clots
• Loss of Appetite/Weight loss

The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the form of mesothelioma diagnosed. The four types of mesothelioma, and their specific symptoms, are discussed in more detail below. Pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the chest) is the most common form of mesothelioma. This form affects the lungs. Symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Pain in chest area
• Trouble swallowing
• Swelling of limbs

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal/Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Swelling or fluid in the abdomen

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart. Symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Irregular heartbeat

Testicular Mesothelioma affects the lining of the testes. This is the rarest form of mesothelioma. Symptoms may include:

• Testicular pain
• Inflammation/swelling of scrotum
• Irregular lump or pass in scrotum

Mesothelioma can only be diagnosed by a physician. If you have experienced any of the above listed symptoms and believe you may have mesothelioma, it’s important to seek medical care.

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma. However, like many other cancers, mesothelioma is treatable. Treatments such as medication, surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation may alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the cancer.

Researchers continue to study different treatments in order to improve patient outcomes. New treatments such as gene therapy and immunotherapy may improve the prognosis and quality of life for patients with mesothelioma.

Compared to other cancers diagnosed in the United States and around the world, mesothelioma is relatively rare. According to the National Cancer Institute, “In 2021, roughly 1.9 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States.” There are only about 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed each year, which means mesothelioma cases comprise less than 0.3% of cancers diagnosed annually.