What causes mesothelioma?

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.Very rarely, mesothelioma has been linked with previous radiotherapy to the chest.Asbestos is the name of a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to high temperatures and humidity.It was used in many building products in Australia from the 1940s until 1987. Since 2004, Australia has had a ban on asbestos being sold, reused and/or imported. It is still present in many older buildings, so special precautions must be taken when renovating or demolishing. It has also been found in some recently imported products despite the ban. People most likely to have been exposed to asbestos at work include asbestos miners and millers, asbestos cement manufacturing workers, laggers and insulators, builders, plumbers and electricians, automotive industry workers, mechanics, transport workers (especially waterside workers), and textile workers. People who haven’t worked directly with asbestos but have been exposed to it can also develop mesothelioma. These can include people cleaning work clothes with asbestos fibres on them or people disturbing asbestos during home renovations or maintenance. It can take many years for mesothelioma to develop after a person is exposed to asbestos. This is called the latency period or interval – it is usually between 20 and 60 years(most commonly around 40 years) after exposure. 

Can I seek compensation?

People who develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may be able to claim compensation. Start making notes and talking to family and friends about when you may have been exposed to asbestos. It is important to get advice from an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after diagnosis. See pages 62–67 to read more about seeking compensation. 

How common is mesothelioma? 

Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with 732 Australians diagnosed in 2014. Of these, more than 93% had pleural mesothelioma, about 6% had peritoneal mesothelioma, and about 1% had a rarer type. Men are over three times more likely than women to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, probably because many cases have been caused by exposure to asbestos at work. Western Australia has the most cases per population due to past asbestos mining. Mesothelioma is more common in people over the age of 65, but can occur in younger people.