Data from Australia presents unusually happy news about a rare but deadly cancer — mesothelioma. Reportedly, the mesothelioma survival rate has increased in recent years. Researchers are not sure why this is the case, but speculate that it could be due to more early screenings for the asbestos-related disease or perhaps better treatment methods.

Researchers from the Australian Institute of Health released data about the mesothelioma survival rates in Australia in 2019. They explain that in general, the outlook is bleak for patients facing a mesothelioma diagnosis. However, new research from last year indicates that these days, mesothelioma patients may be living longer after their initial diagnosis.

News Medical Life Sciences digs into the numbers of the new research from Australia, saying that between 2012 and 2016, 55% of Australian mesothelioma patients lived at least for one year after they were diagnosed, 17% of patients lived at least three years after being diagnosed, and 10% lived for at least five years after being diagnosed. 

Between 1987 and 1991, in contrast, mesothelioma survival rates were lower. Reportedly, from 1987 to 1991, only 37% of people lived at least one year after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, 10% lived for at least three years after diagnosis, and only 6% of patients lived at least five years after being diagnosed.

Despite these positive numbers, mesothelioma is still most often diagnosed in its later, and terminal, stages. This means that most patients who face a mesothelioma prognosis do not live long after being diagnosed. There is still no cure for mesothelioma; the best defense against it is to catch it early and begin treatment as soon as possibly, says the American Cancer Society. 

This new survey information is reportedly coupled with an increase in the death rate from mesothelioma. In 2019, there were 2.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019, whereas in 2012, there were only 1.9 deaths per 100,000 people.  As noted by News Medical Life Sciences, research explains that because mesothelioma can take between 30 and 50 years to develop, these new diagnoses of mesothelioma are likely from asbestos exposure that patients experienced nearly half a century ago.

Heavy asbestos use mid-century led to the asbestos exposure connected to today’s mesothelioma diagnoses and mesothelioma deaths. With such a long latency period for the disease, almost all cases of mesothelioma are linked to asbestos exposure earlier in a person’s life. Additionally, men are more likely to contract the condition than women. But many don’t know the symptoms to look for.

Experts speculate that this gender disparity is because in occupational settings more men come into contact with the mineral than women do. Men working in construction, in ship yards, in the automotive industry and other industrial areas may encounter asbestos in the course of their work. For many years, asbestos was used in insulation and building materials for its durability and heat resistance.

Australian researchers also looked to get a better sense of the public’s exposure to asbestos. Researchers conducted a survey of 1,100 people who were diagnosed with mesothelioma since July 2010. Of survey participants, 94% were deemed to probably have had or possibly have had exposure to asbestos at some point in their past.

Of the 94% potentially exposed to asbestos, 78% of men said that their possible or probable exposure occurred at work. In stark contrast, only 6-8% of women had possibly been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work. It is more common that females suffer second-hand exposure to asbestos from a spouse’s clothing.

The survey also broke down asbestos exposure by industry. Spokesperson for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Justin Harvey stated that “87% of people who worked in trades-related jobs, 75% of participants who worked in water transport-related jobs, and 41% of participants who worked in land transport-related jobs were assessed as having had ‘probable’ exposure to asbestos” in the course of their work in these areas.

News Medical Net does note that because mesothelioma takes so long to develop, these numbers do not speak to the potential danger of working in these professions today. Instead, these exposure rates are reflective of industry conditions between 30 and 50 years ago. Today, the EPA and lawmakers around the world have reportedly moved to limit or prohibit the use of asbestos.