Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that can touch the lives of anyone exposed to asbestos. Is mesothelioma more prevalent among men or women?

The ways this disease affects people can vary depending on gender. In these cases, men are more likely to develop the disease.

In this blog, we will explore why that happens and how women can still face exposure to this cancer.

Why Men Are Affected More Often?

When it comes to mesothelioma, men make up the bulk of cases. According to the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the global incidence of mesothelioma was 0.46 per 100,000 men, compared to 0.17 per 100,000 women in 2020. This has to do with the types of jobs men held during the peak of asbestos use in the 20th century.

Construction workers, shipbuilders, factory employees, and miners were all in overwhelmingly male industries. Unfortunately, that meant they directly worked with asbestos-containing materials.

Whether they were installing insulation, working on ship engines, or repairing automotive brakes, they were surrounded by airborne asbestos fibers daily.

Many of these men had no idea of the danger they faced, especially before asbestos regulations were introduced in the 1970s. These workers were not warned about the risks, and protective gear was often nonexistent.

Asbestos was once widely used in industries across the United States, valued for its heat resistance and durability. Despite its known health risks, including its link to mesothelioma and lung disease, asbestos has not been fully banned in the U.S.

While its use has declined, asbestos remains present in certain products, buildings, and industrial settings.

To minimize exposure risks, it’s important to understand where asbestos is still found and to take appropriate precautions.

Organic food is food grown and cultivated without pesticides. It is how nature intended food to be. Unfortunately, not everything that naturally occurs is healthy. Consider asbestos. While that sounds like something that was concocted in a lab, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once thought to be the perfect additive to include in building materials to provide installation.

After decades of vital scientific research, asbestos has been determined to be a significant carcinogen. That has led to federal regulations outlawing the use of asbestos. It means mitigation efforts to remove exposed asbestos in homes, schools, apartments, and office buildings. There is also an effort to clean up asbestos at the origin site. These sites have been designated as superfund sites.

Getting a diagnosis related to asbestos exposure, like mesothelioma or asbestosis, can be extremely distressful. In an instance, you and your family’s life will change and there will be lot of decisions to make. There will also be a lot of unanswered questions and uncertainty. Beyond the medical challenges, many individuals also face new financial burdens, and a lot of those issues are tied to legal concerns about the cause of the exposure.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness that’s asbestos-related, it’s important that you understand your legal rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the business or entity who is found to be negligent with regard to exposing their workers or individuals to asbestos. That compensation can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

It will help to speak with an attorney who specializes in providing guidance for victims of asbestos exposure. Knowing your rights and how to take action can help you navigate this difficult situation.

A mesothelioma diagnosis affects more than just the patient who has been diagnosed. This is a diagnosis that impacts the entire family. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Illinois, you may have questions about what to do next.

Can family members file claims for loved ones affected by mesothelioma?

Fortunately, family members of mesothelioma victims in Illinois have options. Whether your loved one is still fighting the disease or has passed away, there are legal paths you can take to hold the responsible parties accountable and achieve a fair compensation.

The Impact of Mesothelioma for Families in Illinois

Illinois has been a center of industries where asbestos was widely used, including construction, manufacturing, and power generation. This exposure has led to a high number of mesothelioma cases across the state, including in places like Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria. Families are often left to bear the emotional and financial burden of this devastating disease.

Asbestos exposure is almost always the result of negligence. Many times, companies knew about the dangers of asbestos for decades but continued to expose workers and their families.

To combat this aggressive form of cancer, patients might be prescribed a course of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Those can have debilitating side effects forcing the patient to miss work. The family might also have to step in to provide care, which can further strain their finances. There is also a level of uncertainty with the prognosis of the diseases. That can create anxiety and stress on the family.

Facing a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming, and choosing the right lawyer to handle your case is an important step in seeking compensation. Asbestos exposure can happen years or even decades before symptoms appear, which can make legal claims complex.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, can guide you through the claims process and help make sure that you receive the support and compensation you deserve.

To find the right attorney, you should ask these key questions to assess their experience, approach, and ability to handle your case effectively.

What Experience Do You Have with Mesothelioma Cases?

Not all personal injury lawyers specialize in mesothelioma cases. Because of the complexity of asbestos litigation and evidence collection, it’s crucial that you work with an attorney who’s had extensive experience handling these types of claims.

Ask about their background with mesothelioma lawsuits, including how many cases they’ve handled and their success rate. A lawyer with a proven track record of success in asbestos-related cases will be better equipped to navigate the legal system and anticipate challenges.

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that’s caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral widely used in various industries for decades.

Workers in certain fields faced prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers, often without knowledge of the risks. As a result, mesothelioma cases continue to emerge even years after exposure. Knowing which industries put workers at the highest risk can help affected individuals recognize potential sources of exposure. That can help them seek proper medical treatment. Identifying the source of the exposure can also help individuals seek legal support for a possible financial remedy.

Mesothelioma is a rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer. What makes this disease heartbreaking is that it’s often linked to accidental exposure to asbestos. This was a material once widely used in construction and manufacturing as a type of insulation. For decades, people worked around asbestos without knowing it could put their health and their lives at serious risk.

Mesothelioma tends to be difficult to diagnose early. Because of this reality, victims are often diagnosed after the cancer has progressed. It is a serious and often life-threatening condition.

Let’s look at what mesothelioma is and the possible prognosis for those diagnosed with this disease.

Research published just last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted how an estimated 2,803 mesothelioma patients lose their lives to this rare but deadly form of cancer every year in the U.S.

Given how this cancer is so rare in our country, few people understand a lot about it, including what body parts it affects. And, if someone does know anything about this aggressive disease, most times, all they are aware of is that it can affect one’s lungs.

In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a national ban on asbestos-containing products. Unfortunately, that ban came after decades of asbestos use in construction. Removing that dangerous material leads to new levels of exposure, and it remains a problem to this day. Case in point: The U.S. Department of Labor recently alleged a subcontractor knowingly exposed employees to asbestos during the demolition of a Waukegan hospital.

Asbestos exposure can sometimes manifest in a severe form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Although the American Cancer Society reports that only 3,000 cases of mesothelioma-related cancer are diagnosed each year, those results can devastate a family. It is especially troublesome when you consider that exposure to asbestos could be mitigated to prevent mesothelioma. Getting tested for mesothelioma is the first step toward dealing with the disease.