Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that takes many years to develop following the inhalation of asbestos fibres, but is usually rapidly fatal following disease onset. Annual deaths in Britain increased steeply over the last 50 years, a consequence of mainly occupational asbestos exposures that occurred because of the widespread industrial use of asbestos during 1950-1980.
The latest information shows:
- There were 2,542 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2015, a similar number to the previous three years.
- The latest projections suggest that there will continue to be around 2,500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline.
- The continuing increase in annual mesothelioma deaths in recent years has been driven mainly by deaths among those aged 70 and above.
- In 2015 there were 2,135 male deaths and 407 female deaths, similar to the annual numbers in among males and females in the previous three years.
- There were 2,130 new cases of mesothelioma assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2015 compared with 2,215 in 2014.
- Men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively are now among those most at risk of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma in Great Britain: annual deaths, IIDB cases and projected future deaths to 2030.
