STATISTICS MESOTHELIOMA

1. Approximately 2000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

2. Internationally, the incidence is approximately 9 cases per every 1 million persons.

3. Malignant mesothelioma has a peak incidence about 40 years after asbestos exposure, and it commonly develops when a person is between 50 and 70 years of age.

4. The average age of diagnosis is 50 to 70 years. The disease affects men 3 to 5 times more often than women.Study showed that 45% had a history of exposure to asbestos and 53% had occupational exposure to asbestos.

5. The average survival time is about 12-18 monthsMesothelioma has a long latency (inactive) period of 15-20 years.

6. Experts predict that mesothelioma diagnoses will continue to increase in the United States for at least another 10 to 20 years.

7. Deaths from Mesothelioma are 2,371 deaths in America 2001 (NCHS, 2003) • Deaths from Mesothelioma are 1848 deaths in the UK 2001(UK Government Statistics)

8. Over half a million asbestos and mesothelioma injury claims have been filed so far. Over 50000 were filed in 1998 alone.

9. Mesothelioma has no preference for race or gender, as asbestos exposure is thought to be the most important risk factor. Asbestos exposure is directly linked to at least 50% of the cases.

10. Incidence ( annual ) of Mesothelioma is 563 new cases in the UK 2002 (UK Government Statistics)

11. By the year 2030, it is estimated that asbestos will have caused 60000 instances of mesothelioma.