Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, so it can’t be inherited. However, a mutation in the BAP1 gene can elevate your risk of developing mesothelioma after being exposed.
If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos at work, home, school, or in the military, we can help you get tested for mesothelioma.
BAP1 Mutation and Mesothelioma Risk
Researchers have discovered that BAP1 mutations may increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure.
“We found that most mesothelioma patients from high-risk cancer families have 1-4 inherited mutations in cancer-related genes that may predispose them to the carcinogenic effects of asbestos,” said Dr. Joseph R. Testa, Chief of Genomic Medicine Professor of the Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
When asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, there’s no way for the body to remove them. These fibers irritate healthy tissue and can eventually cause tumors to form 10-50 years later.
Even if you were not directly exposed, you can still get mesothelioma if you lived with someone who handled asbestos products.
If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos and it led to an illness, you may be eligible for compensation. Download our Free Asbestos Products Guide to learn about your options.
Secondhand Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Family history still plays a role in the development of mesothelioma. Between the 1930s and early 1980s, millions of workers unknowingly put their families at risk of asbestos exposure.
The real culprits were the manufacturers of asbestos-based products that hid the dangers to protect their bottom line.
Parents who served in the military or worked in blue-collar industries could have brought asbestos fibers back into their homes on their clothes, hair, skin, and work equipment.
“I believe that Andrew obtained mesothelioma from secondhand exposure. His mom would come home and wash their clothes all together. They would eat together. The fragments of asbestos were embedded in the clothing of not just the dad but all of the siblings.”
– LaTanyta, wife of a mesothelioma warrior
If your parents or other family members worked with asbestos on a regular basis and later developed mesothelioma, you may also be at risk of developing this cancer in the future.
Secondhand Asbestos Exposure: A Case Study
When Julie Gundlach was growing up, her father worked as a commercial electrician in St. Louis, bringing asbestos fibers home on his clothes every day. He often did his laundry next to Julie’s play area as a child.
Years later, doctors found out that the mass in Julie’s abdomen was actually peritoneal mesothelioma caused by secondary asbestos exposure. Julie never worked around asbestos but was still at risk. As of 2025, however, Julie has fought and survived mesothelioma for over 19 years.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Toxicology showed that mice with a genetic predisposition for mesothelioma developed cancer more rapidly when exposed to asbestos.
Action Steps for Those at Risk of Mesothelioma
If you believe that you or a loved one is at risk of mesothelioma, you should talk to a medical professional.
A mesothelioma doctor can help you get tested for the BAP1 gene mutation and determine if you’re at risk of getting this cancer.
“If there could be some kind of an inherited or hereditary component, we immediately get genetic counseling involved. There’s clearly growing evidence that genetics plays a role in a certain proportion of patients.”
You should also tell your doctor if you’ve ever lived or worked around asbestos. A doctor can better assess your risk and help you figure out if you may have had secondhand exposure.
If you start to develop any warning signs of mesothelioma, such as a dry cough, shortness of breath, or loss of appetite, it’s critical to talk to your physician as soon as possible.
Early detection and treatment can greatly improve your prognosis.
Get Support for Mesothelioma
If you believe that you or a loved one is at risk of mesothelioma, we’re here to support you.
Our team of Patient Advocates can help confirm your diagnosis, determine how you may have been exposed to asbestos, find the best treatment options, and pursue compensation for your medical expenses.
Contact us today or give us a call at (866) 608-8933 to get started.
