Mesothelioma Law

Mesothelioma usually appears in people over the age of 50. The amount of people who develop mesothelioma, also known as the incidence, increases at the age of 50. The numbers then peak at about the age of 70. People can be affected by mesothelioma at any age but incidence increases as time goes on. In the United States, the number of cases of mesothelioma increased from 1970 until 1990 and then stabilized. Some research shows that the number of cases may now be decreasing. In Europe, however, the number of cases of mesothelioma is still on the rise.

The incidence of mesothelioma also varies by gender. Men are affected five times more often than women. Mesothelioma also shows different levels of incidence for different races. African Americans have a lower incidence rate than Caucasians. The key to treating and surviving mesothelioma is early detection. Usually by the time symptoms appear and the cancer is diagnosed, the disease has already grown and spread throughout the body. On average, the survival time is about one to two years. Although the five-year survival rate is slowly improving, it is still around only 7%.

The survival rate refers to the amount of time a patient lives after the diagnosis. Usually, a five-year survival rate is a standard amount of time used when discussing the patient’s outlook, or prognosis. Five years is not the only survival rate used. In fact, many patients survive beyond five years. Improvements in technology and treatment are responsible for an increasing trend in the survivability rate.

An important aspect of understanding mesothelioma or any other disease is the risk factor. Anything that contributes to and increases a person’s chances of getting a disease is known as the risk factor. The most common risk factors are the sun for the disease of skin cancer and smoking for cancer of the lungs, mouth and throat. Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. People who may have been exposed to asbestos must also take into account other risk factors, especially smoking, that can add to the possibility of developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos was a common part of many products prior to 1989. It was used in insulation, fire-proof gloves, ironing boards, and many, many other products. The link between asbestos and mesothelioma wasn’t fully understood until around 1989, although it is still used in some products, but obviously with more care.

Asbestos is actually a naturally occurring mineral and can be found in basic dust and rocks throughout certain parts of the Unites States and Europe. Up to 8 million Americans have already been exposed to asbestos. The most hazardous and dangerous form of asbestos is when it is in the process of being removed. When the particles are simply suspended in building materials, asbestos is not as hazardous.