Malignant Mesothelioma: Statistics

What are statistics?

Some people use numbers called statistics to figure out their chances of getting cancer. Or they use them to try to figure out their chances of dying from cancer. Because no 2 people are alike, statistics can’t be used to predict what will happen to 1 person. The statistics below describe large groups of people. They do not take into account a person's own risk factors, such as family history, behaviors, or cancer screenings. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

What are the statistics for malignant mesothelioma?

Here are some statistics about this type of cancer:

• About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. This number has stayed steady or dropped slightly in recent years.

• Men are more likely than women to get this type of cancer.

Most people who get this cancer are older. The average age at diagnosis for mesothelioma that starts in the chest is 69. This is called pleural mesothelioma.

Source: American Cancer Society