Key Takeaways
- Mesothelioma is rare — about 3,000 new cases per year in the United States, representing less than 0.2% of all cancer diagnoses.
- Pennsylvania has the third-highest mesothelioma incidence rate in the country — approximately 0.8 cases per 100,000 people — driven by the state’s concentration of steel mills, power plants, and the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
- Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) has one of the highest mesothelioma incidence rates of any county in the nation, likely due to the region’s steel industry legacy.
- Mesothelioma’s ~40-year latency period means new cases are still being diagnosed today from exposures that occurred decades ago — even in countries that banned asbestos long ago.
- Globally, mesothelioma rates are significant: the UK sees about 2,700 cases per year (in a much smaller population than the U.S.), Australia sees 700–800 (one of the highest per-capita rates in the world), and Italy projected mesothelioma deaths to peak at 7,000 between 2020 and 2024.
When one gets diagnosed with mesothelioma, they might ask themselves: How common is mesothelioma? That answer differs depending on the country, however, in the United States there are about 3,000 new cases a year. This means that mesothelioma is very rare in the United States. With a population of over 330,000,000 people, mesothelioma diagnosis represents a miniscule amount of the total population of the US. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which begins in the lining of the lungs.
When it comes to all cancers, based on data from 2019, mesothelioma accounted for less than .2% of cancer diagnoses in the US, highlighting its rarity.
Mesothelioma is Caused by Asbestos
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material that was used in many industries, such as shipbuilding, construction, insulation, manufacturing, firefighting and more. It was attractive because of its heat resistance, tensile strength, and flexibility. You may think that there would not be cases of mesothelioma now in 2024, however, this is not the case. Due to mesothelioma’s latency period of around 40 years, mesothelioma victims normally do not present with symptoms until decades after exposure to asbestos.
How Common is Mesothelioma in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania records the third highest incidence rate of mesothelioma in the US. The incidence of mesothelioma in PA is about .8 cases per 100,00 people. The reason why the incidence of mesothelioma is higher in PA than most other states is most likely due to places like steel mills, power plants, and the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard that is in the state. Allegheny County in Pennsylvania has one of the highest mesothelioma incidence rates in the country. Which again, is probably due to the steel mills Pittsburgh is known for.
How Common is Mesothelioma in the UK?
Once finding out how common mesothelioma is in the US, you might ask yourself, well, how common is mesothelioma in other countries? In the United Kingdom, there are about 2,700 new cases of mesothelioma each year. It should be noted that the population in the UK is significantly smaller than that of the US, therefore, mesothelioma cases are more common in the UK than in the US. Mesothelioma makes up less than 1% of cancer cases each year in the UK.
How Common is Mesothelioma in Australia?
I highlight Australia because it has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world. Between 700-800 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in Australia. Again, it is important to note this number of people based on population size. Australia is made up of about 25 million people. Therefore, this is more of the population with mesothelioma than the US has.
How Common is Mesothelioma in Italy?
When it comes to Italy, it was predicted that deaths from mesothelioma would peak at 7,000 between the years of 2020 and 2024, despite banning asbestos decades ago. This highlights mesothelioma’s long latency period, as those who were exposed before the ban was put in place may be just starting to experience symptoms and getting a diagnosis.
Overall, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but it is still very possible to get it. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and those who develop it do not usually present with symptoms until decades later.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call (800) 505-6000 or fill out the form on our Contact Us page for more information. We are here to help you navigate the legal process of your diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is mesothelioma in the United States?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, with approximately 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Based on 2019 data, mesothelioma accounted for less than 0.2% of all cancer diagnoses. Despite its rarity, it remains a serious public health concern — particularly in regions with histories of heavy industrial asbestos use.
Why is mesothelioma so common in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has the third-highest mesothelioma incidence rate in the country — approximately 0.8 cases per 100,000 people. This is driven by the state’s extensive industrial history, including steel mills in Pittsburgh and Bethlehem, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, power plants, and manufacturing facilities that used asbestos for decades. Allegheny County (which includes Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities) has one of the highest mesothelioma rates of any county in the nation, reflecting the steel industry’s heavy reliance on asbestos.
Why are people still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today?
Mesothelioma has a latency period of approximately 40 years — meaning it can take decades after asbestos exposure for the cancer to develop. People being diagnosed today were typically exposed to asbestos in the 1970s, 80s, or earlier — long before regulations were put in place. This is why new cases continue to appear even in countries that banned asbestos decades ago. Italy, for example, banned asbestos years ago but projected mesothelioma deaths to peak at 7,000 between 2020 and 2024.
Which countries have the highest rates of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma rates vary significantly by country, largely reflecting each nation’s history of industrial asbestos use:
- United States — ~3,000 cases per year (population 330+ million)
- United Kingdom — ~2,700 cases per year (population ~67 million) — proportionally much higher than the U.S.
- Australia — 700–800 cases per year (population ~25 million) — one of the highest per-capita rates in the world
- Italy — projected peak of 7,000 deaths between 2020–2024 despite banning asbestos decades ago
The per-capita rates in the UK and Australia are notably higher than in the U.S., reflecting differences in industrial history and asbestos regulation timelines.
What is the most common type of mesothelioma?
The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs and accounts for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases. The second most common is peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen), followed by the very rare pericardial (heart) and testicular forms.
What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos — a naturally occurring silicate mineral that was widely used in industries including shipbuilding, construction, insulation, manufacturing, and firefighting because of its heat resistance, tensile strength, and flexibility. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled or ingested, eventually embedding in tissue and causing cancer decades later.
What should I do if I’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Pennsylvania?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease in Pennsylvania, understanding your exposure history and legal options is a critical first step. With the state’s third-highest incidence rate in the nation, there are established legal pathways for Pennsylvania residents to pursue compensation. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
