Asbestos Is Claims

Mesothelioma Cases Higher Among Men

(April 24, 2011)

Studies have shown that mesothelioma seems to be three to four times higher in men ages 30-40 in comparison to women and 10 times higher if the man is between the ages of 60-70. Why does this cancer occur more frequently in men than in women? Unfortunately, all forms of mesothelioma are terminal except that of benign mesothelioma. But what seems to be the common denominator between these studies? Where men more susceptible to asbestos exposure than women? Let’s take a look at what we do know.

Mesothelioma can result from asbestos exposure over long periods of time or in some cases a brief exposure in a high density situation. asbestos is the name of a group of flexible fibers that form naturally, and can be separated into threads and woven creating a strong material that has been used over the centuries and utilized for many things. Mesothelioma is caused when asbestos fibers are released into the air by means of natural weathering or outside disturbance and inhaled where they lodge into the mesothelium (a sac that protects most of the organs within the human body especially the lungs). Because mesothelioma is not usually diagnosed until its advanced stages, the survival rate is that of 1-2 years.

One of the theories that men have a higher rate of developing asbestosis (a type of lung disease caused by asbestos) and other lung cancers (like mesothelioma) is perhaps due to the nature of exposure. For example, asbestos has been widely used in industrial products to include cement, brake linings, flooring products, textiles and roof shingles. The main population that worked in the factories that produced these products were men. Also, another common use for asbestos was that of thermal insulation which was used for things like steam pipes, boilers, and hot water lines and heaters that were primarily installed by men especially while it was being widely used back in the 1940s. Other jobs such as cable men, came in contact with electrical lines that were insulated with asbestos regularly before the mid-1970s as well as working in manholes, under houses or other structures and in crawling in spaces often found in older homes.

So, is there a connection between the types of employment that placed men at a higher risk of contact with asbestos and the fact that the 2,000-3,000 mesothelioma cases reported per year in the United States are predominately men? Whatever the answer may be, it is important that if you think that you may have been exposed to asbestos and would like information about any asbestos settlements that you may be entitled to, please contact an asbestos attorney right away.