Mesothelioma Still To Peak In Most Countries -- MesoLink.org -- 08-10-04

Although the number of mesothelioma cases worldwide has been continually rising over the past decade or so, many countries have reported that the levels of mesothelioma cases within their particular country have not yet peaked.

Many of these countries are expecting the figures to continue rising for around twenty years before they peak.

The Unites States, the United Kingdom, Australia and India are just a few of the countries that are expecting the number of mesothelioma cases to continue to rise.

The long latency period of mesothelioma means that those exposed to asbestos fibres twenty, thirty or even forty years ago may have contracted the disease, but may not yet be displaying any symptoms.

Mesothelioma is a non-curable cancer, which is contracted through regular contact with asbestos fibres, which can cause cancer if the lung, heart or abdominal cavities.

The best that most victims with malignant mesothelioma can hope for is remission, but even then this is only if it is caught early enough and can be successfully treated. However, the non-specific nature of the symptoms, which can resemble other more common illnesses, makes it difficult to diagnose and can further delay the treatment given to patients.

This type of cancer can reduce a victim’s lifespan to as little as a few months, and on average about one year. Some victims have been known to live longer, but generally survival following the onset of symptoms is short-term.