Mesothelioma Statistics
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Data last updated: 2025-01-28
Key Statistics
Official data from CDC U.S. Cancer Statistics and NCI SEER database. Download or embed for presentations and articles.
20-Year Incidence Trend
Mesothelioma incidence has declined 21% from peak (2011) to 2022 as occupational asbestos exposure decreased. However, background cases from environmental and secondary exposure are rising.
Age at Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is primarily a disease of older adults, reflecting the 20-50 year latency period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis. One-third of patients are 80+ at diagnosis.
Survival by Stage
Early detection dramatically improves outcomes. Patients diagnosed at Stage I (localized) have 23% 5-year survival vs 11% for Stage IV (distant).
Deaths by State
Geographic distribution of mesothelioma deaths across the United States. Higher rates correlate with shipbuilding, industrial, and mining regions.
Top 10 States by Deaths
States with the highest mesothelioma mortality. Higher rates correlate with shipbuilding, heavy industry, and manufacturing regions.
Cases by Tumor Location
Distribution of mesothelioma cases by tumor location. Mesothelioma in the lung lining accounts for over 80% of all cases.
Cases by Sex
Mesothelioma predominantly affects males due to higher occupational asbestos exposure in industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.
Cases by Race/Ethnicity
Mesothelioma disproportionately affects non-Hispanic white populations, reflecting historical occupational patterns in industries with high asbestos exposure.
Veterans vs. Civilians
One-third of all mesothelioma cases occur in military veterans. Navy veterans are at highest risk due to extensive asbestos use in shipbuilding from the 1940s-1980s.
Why Veterans?
- Navy at highest risk — Ships built before 1980 used asbestos throughout
- All branches affected — Barracks, vehicles, aircraft contained asbestos
- VA benefits available — Veterans may qualify for disability compensation
- 800+ cases annually — Estimated veteran mesothelioma diagnoses per year
Survival by Mesothelioma Type
Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen) has dramatically better outcomes than pleural (lung), especially with HIPEC surgery. Early detection remains critical for both.
The Asbestos Cover-Up Timeline
For decades, the asbestos industry suppressed evidence of health risks. This timeline shows key moments in the fight for public awareness and regulation.
Occupational Risk by the Numbers
Certain occupations carry dramatically elevated mesothelioma risk due to historical asbestos exposure. The data below shows relative risk compared to the general population, along with estimated annual cases and typical compensation.
Occupation Risk Data
| Occupation | Risk | % of Cases | Est. Annual Cases | Lifetime Risk | Avg. Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation Workers | 46× | 11.2% | 299 | 10-18% | $2.4M |
| Shipyard Workers | 30× | 15% | 400 | 7-12% | $2.1M |
| Boilermakers | 25× | 5.6% | 149 | 5-10% | $1.9M |
| Pipefitters & Plumbers | 18× | 7.5% | 200 | 4-8% | $1.7M |
| Sheet Metal Workers | 15× | 4.5% | 120 | 3-6% | $1.5M |
| Electricians | 10× | 6.7% | 179 | 2-5% | $1.4M |
| Navy Veterans | 8× | 30% | 800 | 2-4% | $1.8M + VA benefits |
| Construction Workers | 6× | 13.1% | 350 | 1-3% | $1.2M |
| Auto Mechanics | 4× | 3.7% | 99 | 0.5-2% | $950K |
| Firefighters | 2× | 1.9% | 51 | 0.2-1% | $1.1M |
Cases by Industry
Annual mesothelioma cases by industry sector. Construction and military sectors account for over half of all cases due to widespread historical asbestos use.
Industry Exposure Data
| Industry | Est. Workers Exposed | Annual Cases | % of Total | Avg. Latency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military (all branches) | 600,000 | 880 | 33% | 40 years |
| Construction | 1,200,000 | 650 | 24.4% | 42 years |
| Shipbuilding & Repair | 85,000 | 400 | 15% | 38 years |
| Manufacturing | 800,000 | 320 | 12% | 40 years |
| Oil & Petrochemical | 120,000 | 180 | 6.7% | 35 years |
| Power Generation | 80,000 | 150 | 5.6% | 37 years |
| Automotive | 350,000 | 120 | 4.5% | 45 years |
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Data Sources
All statistics on this page are sourced from official government cancer registries and peer-reviewed research.
- CDC U.S. Cancer Statistics — Incidence data from population-based registries covering 100% of U.S. population (2003-2022)
- NCI SEER Database — 5-year survival rates by stage (2015-2021 data)
- American Cancer Society — Survival statistics and stage definitions
- VA Office of Public Health — Veterans asbestos exposure data