How Doctors Measure Rates of Mesothelioma
Doctors use a figure called the incidence rate to determine how many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma. It tracks the average number of cases out of a set population size, typically 100,000 people.
The current malignant mesothelioma incidence rate in the United States is 0.6 per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that your risk of developing mesothelioma is generally very low.
However, you could be at a higher risk of mesothelioma if you or a family member worked with asbestos, the biggest risk factor for this cancer. Mesothelioma incidence rates are highest among older men since they were more likely to have been exposed to asbestos regularly on the job.
If you’re concerned about your mesothelioma risk, reach out to your doctor. Prompt medical care is crucial to catching this cancer before it spreads, giving you the best chances of living longer.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for all the information you need to know about this cancer so you can start to move forward.
Rates of Mesothelioma Incidence in the United States
Mesothelioma incidence rates are very low compared to other cancers in the United States. Only about 3,000 mesothelioma cases are diagnosed per year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Here are some key figures on the incidence of mesothelioma in the U.S.:
- Mesothelioma accounts for just 0.14% of all cancer cases annually.
- Over 2,100 people died from mesothelioma in 2023 alone.
- Rates of mesothelioma decreased by 40% between 2013 and 2022, as noted by the CDC.
- There were 70,710 mesothelioma cases total between 1999 and 2021. In contrast, over 220,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year in the U.S.
About 27 million Americans were exposed to asbestos at their jobs between 1940 and 1979, and the cancer takes decades to form after exposure. This is why thousands of people continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year.
Though mesothelioma is rare, it has one of the poorest health outlooks of any cancer. The 5-year mesothelioma survival rate among U.S. patients is just 15%. The overall 5-year survival rate for cancer in general is 69% according to the ACS. Because of this, it’s key to promptly consult with doctors if you’re concerned about this cancer.
Mesothelioma Rates by State
Mesothelioma incidence rates and the number of cases vary by state. California has the highest mesothelioma rates by state, with over 7,404 cases reported from 1999 to 2021, according to the CDC. South Dakota has the lowest rate at just 135 cases over the same time frame.
Other states with the highest mesothelioma incidence rates include:
- Rhode Island: Rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people
- Louisiana: Rate of 1 per 100,000 people
- Minnesota: Rate of 1 per 100,000 people
- New Jersey: Rate of 1 per 100,000 people
- Maine: Rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people
- West Virginia: Rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people
Mesothelioma cases are reported in every state each year due to the widespread use of asbestos in workplaces, homes, and commercial products. As a result, no state is safe from mesothelioma.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our Patient Advocates can help you find top local doctors and treatments at no cost to you. Call (866) 608-8933 now to get started.
Mesothelioma Rates by Country
Over 30,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed around the world every year, per the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. The global incidence rate of mesothelioma is 0.3 per 100,000 people, but some countries have much higher rates.
- Luxembourg: 4.1 per 100,000 people
- United Kingdom: 1.9 per 100,000 people
- Australia: 1.3 per 100,000 people
- The Netherlands: 1.2 per 100,000 people
- Belgium: 1.1 per 100,000 people
Over 60 countries have banned asbestos in an effort to reduce mesothelioma incidence rates moving forward. The U.S. finally banned asbestos in 2024, after decades of having only a partial ban in effect.
Still, several major countries like China, India, and Russia continue to use asbestos, potentially putting workers at risk of mesothelioma for decades to come.
Rates of Mesothelioma Incidence by Type
There are different types of mesothelioma depending on where the cancer forms in the body. You are most likely to be diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs, or peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen.
| Type of Mesothelioma | Incidence Rate (per 100,000) | Avg. Yearly Cases |
| Pleural mesothelioma | 0.53 | 2,442 |
| Peritoneal mesothelioma | 0.11 | 315 |
| Pericardial mesothelioma | >0.01 | 60 |
| Testicular mesothelioma | >0.01 | 60 |
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Doctors can determine which type you have during a mesothelioma diagnosis. Each type has its own health outlook. While malignant pleural mesothelioma incidence is higher, peritoneal and testicular mesothelioma patients tend to live longer on average.
Mesothelioma Incidence Rates by Sex
Rates of mesothelioma incidence are much higher among men than women. Men accounted for 76% of all mesothelioma patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2021. Men were more likely to work in jobs that relied on asbestos, such as construction and shipyard work.
Explore mesothelioma incidence rates by sex:
- Males: 1.1 per every 100,000. Men aged 85-89 had the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma, at 16.9 cases per 100,000 people.
- Females: 0.3 per every 100,000. Rates peaked among women aged 85-89 with 3.4 cases per 100,000 people.
Men and women aged 40 or younger had the lowest incidence rates, with 0.1 cases per 100,000 in both sexes.
Both men and women must keep a close watch on their health if they or someone they love was exposed to asbestos. For example, wives and daughters could go on to develop mesothelioma as a result of secondhand asbestos exposure if a male relative worked in a high-risk job.
Mesothelioma Incidence Rates by Age
Mesothelioma tends to affect older adults as the cancer has a long latency period, forming 10-50 years after exposure. The average age of a mesothelioma patient at the time of diagnosis is 72, according to the ACS. However, anyone exposed to asbestos can be diagnosed with this cancer.
Here are mesothelioma incidence rates by age:
- Ages 85+: 8.5 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 80-85: 7.8 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 75-79: 5.8 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 70-74: 3.3 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 65-69: 1.9 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 60-64: 1.1 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 55-59: 0.7 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 50-54: 0.4 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 45-49: 0.3 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 40-44: 0.2 cases per 100,000 people
- Ages 39 and under: 0.1 case per 100,000 people
If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos decades ago and is now experiencing possible signs of mesothelioma, such as a cough or difficulty breathing, see a doctor — no matter what your age is.
Use our Free Doctor Match for help finding local mesothelioma specialists who can help diagnose and treat this rare cancer.
Rates of Mesothelioma Incidence by Race
Generally speaking, white people have a higher rate of mesothelioma than those of other races. In a U.S. Journal of Clinical Oncology study of nearly 13,000 mesothelioma patients, 95% of them were white.
The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program tracks mesothelioma statistics by race.
Here are key SEER data points on mesothelioma incidence by race:
- White people over the age of 65 had higher rates of mesothelioma compared to any other race.
- Black people had the second-highest mesothelioma rates.
- The mesothelioma incidence rates peaked among those aged 85-89 for all races.
The Journal of Clinical Oncology study noted that mesothelioma mortality is 16% higher among Black people. Still, it’s important to note that mesothelioma doctors can recommend the best treatments for your case to help you live as long as possible — no matter your race, sex, or age.
How to Lower Mesothelioma Rates
It is believed that mesothelioma rates will slowly decrease as time goes on, as fewer people will suffer asbestos exposure. While there is no way to lower your personal rate or odds of developing mesothelioma, you do have options to stay on top of your health.
Actions to take if you may be at risk of mesothelioma include:
- Connecting with mesothelioma doctors rather than general providers
- Getting a mesothelioma screening even if you don’t have symptoms
- Requesting a second opinion to rule out a mesothelioma misdiagnosis
Major advocacy groups such as the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) are fighting to protect people from asbestos and hope to eradicate mesothelioma permanently.
Doctors also continue to study new treatment options that may help more mesothelioma patients live longer. While there is no cure for mesothelioma yet, therapies have helped some patients live for 20 years or more, becoming long-term survivors.
“The right approach is to say that mesothelioma is a chronic disease: ‘I’m going to live with this disease. I’m going to make the most of my life as I live with this disease.’ That’s how you get hope.”
Find Hope for Mesothelioma
While mesothelioma incidence rates are low, its impact is life-changing after a diagnosis — and you’re at a higher risk if you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos. Whether you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis or are concerned about past asbestos exposure, our team is here to assist you and your family.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you:
- Better understand your diagnosis
- Find top doctors and treatments
- Recover compensation to cover your expenses
- Secure the support you and your family need
Call (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide now to learn what resources are available to you.
Rate of Mesothelioma FAQs
What is the incidence of mesothelioma in the U.S.?
Mesothelioma is very rare, so the incidence rate in the U.S. is low at just 0.6 cases per 100,000 people. However, your risk may be higher depending on factors such as your age, sex, and other health-related characteristics.
For example, older men are most likely to get mesothelioma following occupational asbestos exposure decades ago. The mesothelioma incidence rate among men aged 85-89 is 16.9 cases per 100,000 people.
What are the odds of getting mesothelioma?
Generally speaking, the odds of getting mesothelioma are low. Only about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year. Those at the highest risk are typically males over the age of 70 who worked around asbestos 10-50 years ago.
With that said, anyone exposed to asbestos could potentially go on to develop mesothelioma, with younger adults and even children falling ill in rare cases. If you or someone you love has ever been exposed, talk to your doctor about your health concerns.
Use our Free Doctor Match for help finding mesothelioma specialists near you who can help assess your risk and determine next steps.
Which country has the highest rate of mesothelioma?
Luxembourg has the highest incidence rate of mesothelioma, with 4.1 cases reported for every 100,000 people. The global mesothelioma rate is just 0.3 per 100,000. The United States has a nationwide incidence rate of 0.6 per 100,000 people, but some state rates are nearly double this amount.
Are mesothelioma rates decreasing?
Yes, mesothelioma rates are slowly decreasing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the rate of new mesothelioma cases declined by 40% between 2013 and 2022.
It is believed that rates will continue to slowly decrease over time because fewer people are being exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma today were exposed to asbestos decades ago, before the public understood the dangers.
What state has the most mesothelioma cases?
According to data from the CDC, California has the highest number of mesothelioma cases. Over 7,400 cases were reported between 1999 and 2019. Florida reported the second-highest number of cases, with nearly 4,900 in the same time frame.
Rhode Island is the state with the highest mesothelioma cancer incidence rate, with 1.1 cases reported per 100,000 people.
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