Pattern of Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Cases

Time Frame

The overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases are a direct result of occupational exposure. This exposure is now regulated in most of the developed world; however, due to the long latency period, new cases will continue to be diagnosed on a regular basis until at least 2020. Asbestos diagnosis statistics peaked approximately 30 to 40 years after the greatest asbestos usage occurred, which for America, was the 1960s.

From approximately 2003 throughout the remainder of the decade, approximately 2,000 cases were diagnosed annually.
Changing Statistics

The pattern of mesothelioma statistics will change over the next 20 years due to the fact that average life expectancy is substantially longer than it was a few decades ago. Many individuals simply died before the disease could manifest itself. However, as of 2007, employees retiring at age 65 can now expect to live 16 to 20 years, considerably longer than the 2-year life expectancy of a person retiring at 65 in 1977. Furthermore, new asbestos regulations have significantly reduced mesothelioma the amount of exposure. Therefore, an increase in latency periods is expected.
Secondary Exposure

Prior to the regulation of asbestos, the families and spouses of those working with asbestos were exposed to fibers carried home on clothing. Any family member that came into contact with the clothing or hair of a person working asbestos could have also been exposed.

The time frame of exposure can be hard to pinpoint due to the long latency period. A person may have worked a summer building construction job for a few weeks before the danger of asbestos was discovered. Enough exposure might have occurred to result in the presence of mesothelioma many years later, however, the person may not remember this short duration of exposure in his youth. This makes latency statistics challenging, but researchers will continue to work towards new treatments, as well as an eventual cure.