Key Takeaways
- Mesothelioma is not just a man’s disease. Annual mesothelioma deaths among women in the U.S. rose from 489 in 1999 to 614 in 2020, and the numbers continue to grow.
- In men, approximately 85% of mesothelioma cases come from occupational exposure. In women, only about 23% are work-related — the majority come from secondary exposure, environmental exposure, or para-occupational contact.
- One of the most common ways women have been exposed is through laundering the asbestos-contaminated work clothes of a spouse or family member.
- When exposed to the same amounts of asbestos, women are just as likely — and in some studies more likely — to develop mesothelioma as men. A UK study of factory workers found that 24% of deceased women had mesothelioma, compared to 16% of men.
- Women exposed to asbestos for less than two years experienced a higher rate of mesothelioma than men exposed for the same duration.
- Mesothelioma has a latency period of 30 to 40 years, meaning women exposed decades ago may only now be receiving a diagnosis.
A rare and aggressive form of cancer, there are about 3,000 cases of mesothelioma documented each year in the United States. Most cases of mesothelioma come from occupational asbestos exposure in certain professions such as construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, plumbing, carpentry and more. Most cases of mesothelioma occur in men as they were predominantly in these roles in the past, however women are just as susceptible to the disease. Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers and has a poor prognosis of less than a year, however early detection and proper treatment can extend the patient’s life as well as enhance overall quality of life.
The development of mesothelioma has a long latency period of about 30 to 40 years, meaning when someone is exposed to asbestos, if they develop mesothelioma, it will not be until decades after exposure.
Women
There is not much information on mesothelioma mortality when it comes to women. From 1990 to 2020, the number of mesothelioma deaths in women per year in the US increased from 489 in 1999 to 614 in 2020. This highlights the importance of early detection and proper treatment, and that mesothelioma exists not only in men but in women as well.
In men, approximately 85 percent of exposures are due to work-related inhalation, whereas in women approximately 23 percent of cases were attributable to work-related exposure. Although women are less likely to be employed in trades such as construction or manufacturing, they still can be and they can be exposed to asbestos at their work due to activities that disturb the asbestos fibers. People can also be exposed to asbestos environmentally, through naturally occurring asbestos. Additionally, women can be and have been in the past, exposed to asbestos fibers through take home exposure from other family members that they live with. One of the main ways women have been exposed to asbestos in the past is through laundering the clothes of a spouse who worked with and around asbestos.
Mesothelioma is attributable to asbestos exposure: even when the source of exposure is difficult to pinpoint it is likely that if someone has mesothelioma they were exposed to asbestos in their environment or para-occupationally.
When men and women are exposed to the same amounts of asbestos, women are just as likely to develop mesothelioma as men are, which is shown in different countries throughout the world. In a study done in the UK on factory workers, 16 percent of the deceased men had mesothelioma and 24 percent of the deceased women did. In fact, in this study, women who were exposed to asbestos for less than two years experienced a higher rate of mesothelioma compared to men exposed for the same amount of time.
Exposure
It is thought that even exposure to small amounts of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma down the line. Since mesothelioma is extremely rare, it occurs in less than 10 percent of the population basically anywhere in the world. It is also thought that the accumulation of exposure can contribute to the evolution of mesothelioma. It is hard to determine whether inhaling one singular asbestos fiber can cause mesothelioma as people do not inhale one fiber at a time. Every exposure has thousands or millions of fibers containing asbestos.
Overall, it is important that mesothelioma is taken seriously in women and that it is understood that anyone can get mesothelioma, although people that have worked directly with asbestos are more likely to develop it.
If you or a loved one lives in Pennsylvania and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call (800) 505-6000. For more information fill out the form on our Homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women get mesothelioma?
Yes. While the majority of mesothelioma cases occur in men due to historically male-dominated occupational exposure, women are just as susceptible to the disease when exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma deaths among women in the U.S. have been increasing — rising from 489 in 1999 to 614 in 2020.
How are women typically exposed to asbestos?
Unlike men, most women’s asbestos exposure does not come from their own workplace. The main sources of exposure for women include:
- Secondary (take-home) exposure — inhaling asbestos fibers brought home on a family member’s work clothes, skin, or hair. Laundering contaminated clothing is one of the most common pathways.
- Environmental exposure — living near naturally occurring asbestos deposits, asbestos mines, or industrial facilities that released asbestos into the surrounding area
- Para-occupational exposure — being exposed to asbestos at a workplace even if the woman’s job did not directly involve asbestos-containing materials
- Direct occupational exposure — accounting for approximately 23% of cases in women, through jobs in manufacturing, construction, or other trades
Are women more susceptible to mesothelioma than men?
Research suggests that when exposed to equal amounts of asbestos, women may actually be more susceptible than men. A study of UK factory workers found that 24% of deceased women had mesothelioma compared to 16% of men. Additionally, women exposed for less than two years developed mesothelioma at a higher rate than men with the same duration of exposure. This challenges the assumption that mesothelioma is primarily a male disease.
Why are mesothelioma rates in women increasing?
Several factors contribute to the rising number of mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths among women. Greater awareness and improved diagnostic tools mean more cases are being correctly identified. The disease’s 30- to 40-year latency period also means that women who were exposed to asbestos in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s — through secondary exposure, environmental exposure, or their own occupations — are now being diagnosed. As understanding of non-occupational exposure pathways grows, more cases in women are being connected to asbestos.
Can even small amounts of asbestos exposure cause mesothelioma?
Research suggests that even exposure to small amounts of asbestos can potentially lead to mesothelioma. It is difficult to determine a safe threshold because people are never exposed to a single fiber at a time — each exposure event typically involves thousands or millions of microscopic fibers. Scientists also believe that the accumulation of exposure over time contributes to the development of the disease, even when individual exposures seem brief or minor.
How long does it take for mesothelioma to develop in women after exposure?
Mesothelioma has a latency period of approximately 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure. This means that a woman who was exposed to asbestos through laundering her husband’s work clothes in the 1980s may only now be experiencing symptoms and receiving a diagnosis. The long delay between exposure and disease makes it critical for anyone with known or suspected asbestos exposure history to monitor for symptoms and inform their doctor.
What should women do if they’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Pennsylvania?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma — whether the exposure came from your own workplace, from a family member’s work clothes, or from environmental contact — you may have legal options. Documenting how and when the exposure occurred is an important first step. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
