Mesothelioma Statistics

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 malignant mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in the United States every year. Most of these cancer cases, approximately 70 to 80 percent, are related to exposure of asbestos fibers. The widespread use of asbestos materials during the 20th Century led to an increase in the number of mesothelioma cases from the 1970s through the 1990s. Many of the patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma were employed in industries or occupations where asbestos fibers were present. This is particularly the case in industries such as auto repair, construction, textiles, shipyard work, farming, railroad, and some types of manufacturing.