Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, so many people don’t understand the science of how this disease develops or how to treat it.
Combating misinformation and understanding mesothelioma facts can help empower you and your family to fight this cancer and make informed decisions about your health.
Learn more about 10 of the biggest mesothelioma myths in 2025 below.
Myth #1: Only Those Who Work Directly With Asbestos Are At Risk
There’s a misconception that only people who served in the military or worked jobs where asbestos exposure was common are at risk of mesothelioma.
Fact: Indirect contact with asbestos is every bit as dangerous as handling the material directly — and family members were often exposed secondhand.
When asbestos fibers are released, they can linger in the air or settle in clothing, hair, water supplies, and food.
For example, if a blue-collar worker comes home with asbestos fibers on their clothes, their spouse or children could unknowingly breathe in these fibers and develop mesothelioma decades later.
Family members could have also been exposed to asbestos by:
- Living in a home built with asbestos products
- Visiting a family member on a job site
- Washing clothes covered in asbestos dust
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and even a single fiber can increase someone’s risk of mesothelioma.
Learn more about risk factors for mesothelioma and what to do if someone you love was diagnosed. Get your Free Mesothelioma Guide shipped overnight.
Myth #2: Mesothelioma Only Affects Older Men
Mesothelioma primarily affects older men who worked with asbestos-containing materials 10-50 years ago at their job sites. However, they’re not the only people at risk of this cancer.
Fact: Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos directly or secondhand is at risk, regardless of their age, gender, or other factors.
Misconceptions about who develops mesothelioma can be dangerous since individuals may be less likely to push for testing or not be taken seriously when they come to their doctor with symptoms.
“My symptoms were written off, as it is with a lot of young women who are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. I’d say every woman that I’ve talked to, especially a young woman who has had peritoneal mesothelioma, was misdiagnosed at first.”
Asbestos has also been found in talc-based cosmetic products like body powder and makeup.
Increased awareness and better screening and diagnostics have led to more people being diagnosed at younger ages as well as a better understanding of mesothelioma in women.
Myth #3: There Are Other Causes of Mesothelioma Besides Asbestos
Because mesothelioma is such a rare cancer, many people don’t understand how it forms. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma isn’t caused by smoking. It’s also not caused by genetic mutations or other biological factors.
Fact: The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
As the topic of genetics becomes more prevalent in medical research, there’s been some confusion about how certain genes — particularly BAP1 — influence the development of mesothelioma.
Patients with BAP1 mutations may be more vulnerable to developing mesothelioma, but a BAP1 mutation cannot cause this cancer without asbestos exposure.
Similarly, smoking cigarettes can make it harder for the body to fight mesothelioma cells, but doesn’t actually cause the cancer.
“If there’s no asbestos, there’s no mesothelioma, it’s that simple. If you have mesothelioma and you say, ‘Well, I’ve never been exposed to asbestos,’ you were exposed to it. You just don’t know where or when.”
Myth #4: Mesothelioma Is an Automatic Death Sentence
Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary. Some of the survival statistics are discouraging, and there’s no known cure yet. But treatments are improving all the time, and there are many long-term survivors living life to the fullest today.
Fact: Treatment innovations and a better understanding of mesothelioma are leading to long-term survivorship — with some patients living for decades after their diagnosis.
Examples of mesothelioma survivors who have outlived their prognosis include:
- Alexis Kidd, 18-year survivor
- Julie Gundlach, 19-year survivor
- John Stahl, 6-year stage 4 survivor
General survival statistics don’t represent your unique situation, so there are reasons to stay hopeful after a diagnosis.
“Patients assume when they have this disease that they can’t survive and can’t live with it, even though many of our patients are walking around living relatively normal lives.”
Learn more about patients who beat the odds and outlived their prognosis in our Free Survivors Guide.
Myth #5: There’s No Cure, So Mesothelioma Treatment Isn’t Worth It
Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease, but many patients are living longer with treatment than in years past. Ongoing research and emerging mesothelioma treatment options are providing new hope to patients with this cancer.
Fact: Treatment provides the best chance of fighting mesothelioma, and patients who aren’t eligible for curative treatments can still benefit from palliative care to improve quality of life.
The standard mesothelioma treatment is typically surgery and chemotherapy, but immunotherapy is emerging as a newer treatment. Many patients are seeing promising results with this therapy, which supports the body’s immune system to fight cancer more effectively.
“Until [we find a cure], you want to have the cancer successfully treated, and it’s not any different than diabetes. It’s a lifelong illness. You’re not cured from it — but you can be treated very successfully, and you can live a long life. The same kind of expectation should be applied to mesothelioma.”
Even patients with late-stage cancer have seen promising results from treatment. For example, John Stahl was diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, which has an average life expectancy of only 1 year. Thanks to chemotherapy, John is still living life to the fullest today — over 6 years after his diagnosis.
Additionally, many patients have received palliative care to ease symptoms. Palliative care can be requested at any point, whether a patient undergoes life-extending treatments or not.
Myth #6: Insurance Will Cover All Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
Health insurance can be a helpful tool in the fight against mesothelioma, but there are often hoops to jump through and gaps in coverage. Health care costs in 2025 are high and continuing to rise, and insurance doesn’t always cover everything.
Fact: On average, it costs $400,000 a year to treat mesothelioma. Insurance rarely pays for all the expenses, especially when it comes to travel, specialists, or out-of-network care.
Working with a mesothelioma specialist can mean traveling to a different city or state, and the costs associated with flights, gas, hotels, and meals aren’t covered by insurance. Additionally, certain tests, specialist appointments, or alternative treatments may not be covered.
However, patients may find financial relief with legal support. Many families have accessed compensation to pay for treatment by filing claims with asbestos trust funds or lawsuits against asbestos companies that made them sick.
“Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit has greatly impacted my family’s life. It has allowed me to seek the medical treatment that I absolutely need without the fear of losing my home.”
Myth #7: Any Doctor Can Treat Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare disease. Although experienced oncologists (cancer doctors) may know how to generally treat cancer, mesothelioma has specific nuances that the average doctor may not understand.
Fact: Mesothelioma specialists know how this cancer develops and spreads, so they can recommend the best treatments based on factors unique to your diagnosis, such as the cancer type, stage, cell type, and more.
Top mesothelioma doctors are also plugged into the latest research and newest treatments, and can recommend alternative therapies and palliative care to support overall well-being and recovery.
“If your doctor is not a professional and has not lived it and breathed it, get another oncologist. You need someone experienced — someone who’s going to fight for you and with you.”
Use our Free Doctor Match service to get connected with a mesothelioma specialist near you.
Myth #8: You Have to Know How You Were Exposed to Get Compensation
Many mesothelioma patients have no idea when or how they were exposed to asbestos. Because of this, they may hesitate to pursue legal action.
Fact: Skilled mesothelioma attorneys can pinpoint where and how you encountered asbestos — even if you and your family have no idea.
Some people remember specifically where they were exposed to asbestos, even if they didn’t realize it was dangerous at the time.
The most common ways people are exposed include through military service and jobs that relied on asbestos-containing products, such as construction, firefighting, and plumbing. There are also many nontraditional sources of exposure.
Experienced mesothelioma attorneys, like those at our partner law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy, know exactly where to look to find out how a patient may have been exposed.
“We have an extensive database of documents that we’ve collected over 25 years. By utilizing this database, we can get our clients the compensation they deserve.”
Myth #9: Asbestos Can Be Removed While Wearing a Mask
If you suspect or know that there is asbestos in your home or workplace, you may think it’s best to remove it immediately. However, it may be safer to leave asbestos materials in place to avoid releasing fibers into the air.
Fact: If you’re not a licensed removal specialist, it’s dangerous to try to remove asbestos on your own — and in some states, it’s illegal to do so. Experts recommend leaving older asbestos products intact if they are not damaged and working with a professional for removal.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos-containing materials are classified as either friable or non-friable. If a product is friable, it can be crushed by very slight pressure (like putting a hand on it).
Asbestos products can become friable if they’re damaged or naturally weaken over time. Friable asbestos materials can release fibers into the air and put anyone nearby at risk.
Myth #10: Asbestos Is Banned and No Longer Used
For decades after other nations worldwide had banned asbestos, the United States still hadn’t.
Fact: In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did ban the last type of asbestos that was actively being used — but the phase-out could take several years, and many American workers and their families will continue to be exposed.
Additionally, the new administration has announced plans to delay or reconsider the ban, so there’s no guarantee it will actually take effect.
Over 3,000 consumer goods made with asbestos products may still lurk in homes and workplaces built before the early 1980s.
Asbestos can be found in:
- Brake pads
- Ceiling and floor tiles
- Cement
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Insulation
- Plaster
- Siding
- Other materials
Advocates are fighting for a global ban on asbestos to protect people around the world from this toxic substance.
“Asbestos isn’t a problem of the past. It’s a danger hiding in homes, schools, and workplaces today. And until it’s fully banned, I will keep fighting.”
Get the Facts About Mesothelioma
There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding mesothelioma and asbestos, but knowing the truth can help you make informed decisions about your health and future.
Our team is here to help you get the facts about malignant mesothelioma.
We can help you:
- Understand your risk of mesothelioma
- Find a cancer specialist and top treatments
- Pursue asbestos compensation
- Get support during this difficult time
While facing a cancer like mesothelioma is never easy, there’s hope to be found in truth and facts.
Give us a call at (866) 608-8933 or request a Free Mesothelioma Guide today.
