Every March, Women’s History Month honors the women who have made a difference in their communities, their professions, and the lives of others.
This year, we’re recognizing women in the mesothelioma community who have made a lasting impact as doctors, advocates, lawyers, and survivors. Their work gives hope to patients and families facing this rare cancer, and empowers those fighting to protect others from asbestos exposure, the only known cause of this cancer.
Although women are statistically less likely than men to develop mesothelioma, they play a major role in every part of this community. Some are leading treatment and research. Others are fighting for asbestos bans, helping families understand their legal options, or sharing their stories to bring hope to newly diagnosed patients.
Mesothelioma in Women
Women account for about 25% of all mesothelioma cases, likely due to historically lower rates of occupational asbestos exposure compared to men. In the U.S., about 0.41 out of every 100,000 women are diagnosed each year, compared to 1.93 out of every 100,000 men.
Although women are less likely to develop mesothelioma, they tend to have a better prognosis. Research suggests women may recover from surgery more successfully and are more likely to develop peritoneal mesothelioma, which responds better to treatment than pleural mesothelioma. Women with mesothelioma have a 5-year survival rate of 13.4%, compared to 4.5% in men.
Understanding these differences may help researchers develop better treatments for all mesothelioma patients. Learn more about prognosis, survival rates, and treatment options in our Free Mesothelioma Guide, shipped overnight.
Female Advocates for the Mesothelioma Community
Many women have devoted their lives to the fight against mesothelioma. They provide vital support and services to patients with mesothelioma and their families and have taken action to prevent future generations from experiencing this devastating cancer.
Learn about some of the notable female advocates for mesothelioma below.
Linda Reinstein
Linda Reinstein’s journey as a mesothelioma advocate began when her husband was diagnosed with the disease in 2003. Just one year later, she co-founded the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which is now one of the largest non-profit organizations focused on advocating for asbestos victims.
Linda has testified before Congress on multiple occasions and has given hundreds of speeches in 20 countries to raise awareness of mesothelioma and the ongoing threat of asbestos. She uses her skills and experience to bring together and give a voice to those affected by this cancer-causing mineral.
“My story is only one of so many others of mesothelioma hitting home. I hope our advocacy work can result in eliminating asbestos diseases completely by banning asbestos in all its uses so no one else has to feel this grief.”
Barbara McQueen
Barbara Minty McQueen was a model in the 1970s and is the widow of actor Steve McQueen. The couple was married for just over three years before Steve died of mesothelioma.
Since 2012, Barbara has worked as a mesothelioma advocate and board member of ADAO. She also wrote a book called Steve McQueen: The Last Mile about her life and marriage, including her experiences as Steve’s caregiver during the final six months of his life.
Mary Hesdorffer
Mary is a retired nurse practitioner who devoted 20 years of her career to treating patients with mesothelioma. During this time, she lent her expertise to several clinical trials and had her research published in many peer-reviewed journals.
Mary served as the executive director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, where she used her voice and experience to advocate for improved communication between doctors and patients before her retirement in 2021. She also helped patients understand their legal options after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Female Mesothelioma Doctors
Mesothelioma doctors are working every day to find a cure for this cancer and to help their patients live longer, fuller lives. They’re also conducting groundbreaking research to discover new and more effective treatment options.
Learn about some of the female doctors leading these efforts.
Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler
Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler is one of the premier mesothelioma specialists in the United States. For over 20 years, she has researched vital, life-extending treatment improvements, helping her patients beat the odds.
Dr. Kindler treats patients with peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Call (866) 608-8933 now to get help finding a mesothelioma specialist near you.
Dr. Anne Tsao
Dr. Anne Tsao is a medical oncologist (cancer doctor) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She specializes in treating pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, and is an internationally recognized expert in her field.
In addition to her work treating patients, Dr. Tsao is an innovative researcher who helped develop proton therapy as a treatment for mesothelioma. She is a widely published author whose continued study of mesothelioma on a molecular level is avidly followed.
Dr. Andrea Wolf
Dr. Andrea Wolf is a thoracic surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. She trained under the esteemed mesothelioma specialist Dr. David Sugarbaker, who developed the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) procedure.
Dr. Wolf believes that a patient-centered approach to treatment is critical for every patient. She also incorporates multiple treatment approaches for patients into her research. Most recently, she has been exploring if immunotherapy can improve a patient’s response to surgery.
“I really try to make sure patients know that it’s gonna be challenging, but they’re gonna be okay. A lot of people go on living for years with mesothelioma.”
Female Mesothelioma Survivors
Survivors are always at the center of mesothelioma advocacy, sharing their stories to help support other patients going through treatment. Read about some of these mesothelioma survivors and their impacts within the larger patient community below.
Alexis
- Diagnosis: Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Year of Diagnosis: 2007
- Treatment: Surgery and chemotherapy
Alexis Kidd was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 37 after doctors discovered the cancer during gallbladder surgery. Like many patients with this rare disease, she had no clear memory of asbestos exposure, making the diagnosis even more shocking.
After her diagnosis, Alexis underwent cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) and faced a long recovery with difficult side effects. Despite the challenges, she continued to lean on the support of her husband, friends, and the broader mesothelioma community while learning how to live with the uncertainty of a rare cancer.
Now, more than 18 years after her diagnosis, Alexis shares her story to encourage other patients and remind them that they are not alone on their journey.
“All I can do is attempt to create something good with my existence. If I can give even one person a small bit of hope, then this life of mine is worth something.”
Jessica
- Diagnosis: Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Year of Diagnosis: 2005
- Treatment: Surgery and chemotherapy
Jessica Blackford-Cleeton was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 32 after more than a year of severe stomach pain that doctors initially misdiagnosed as less serious conditions. A biopsy eventually revealed hundreds of tumors throughout her abdomen, and she was referred to specialists for treatment.
More than 10 years after her diagnosis, thanks to surgery and other treatments, Jessica is a long-term survivor. She and her husband welcomed their first son two years after her diagnosis and later celebrated the birth of their second child.
Jessica now shares her story to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, the challenges many women face in getting an accurate diagnosis, and the importance of hope and support after a life-changing illness.
“It’s important for me to share my story about mesothelioma so others with the disease, especially those being newly diagnosed, know that they’re not alone.”
Julie
- Diagnosis: Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Year of Diagnosis: 2006
- Treatment: Surgery with heated chemotherapy
Julie Gundlach is a nationally recognized 19+ year survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma. Diagnosed in 2006 at just 35 years old, she was told she had 6 to 12 months to live. Determined to fight for more time with her young daughter, Julie pursued aggressive treatment, including multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy.
Since her diagnosis, Julie has become an advocate for mesothelioma awareness and a ban on asbestos in the United States. She has participated in events like Miles for Meso and spoken with policymakers on Capitol Hill. Nearly two decades later, Julie continues to encourage patients to hold onto hope and focus on what makes life meaningful.
“Never give up hope — and remember that your life is yours, not the disease’s.”
Get our Free Survivors Guide to read more stories of hope from fellow mesothelioma survivors and their families.
Remembering Notable Women Who Lost Their Lives to Mesothelioma
While Mesothelioma Hope celebrates the women who are leading the fight against mesothelioma, we also remember those whose brave battles have ended. Their lives and accomplishments have moved us forward and allowed others to pick up the torch and continue lighting the way to a cure.
Jill Litton
Jill Litton was a devoted mother, grandmother, and community member who lived with peritoneal mesothelioma for more than 16 years after her diagnosis in 2009. Known for her compassion, generosity, and deep faith, Jill faced her illness with resilience and grace.
Her diagnosis came after unusual symptoms led to emergency surgery, where doctors discovered cancer in the lining of her abdomen. After seeking care from a mesothelioma specialist, Jill underwent surgery that helped her live far beyond the typical prognosis.
Throughout her journey, Jill drew strength from her faith and family while helping raise two of her granddaughters. She passed away in January 2026, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and perseverance.
Mary Jane Williams
Mary Jane Williams was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2003. The cancer was discovered during gallbladder surgery and came as a significant shock.
Mary Jane and her family quickly sought treatment and support, and after a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she was declared cancer-free.
Mary Jane became known as a speaker and advocate for other patients across the country throughout her 15-year journey as a mesothelioma survivor. She passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2018, but her story will never be forgotten.
Donna Summer
Five-time Grammy winner Donna Summer was widely regarded as the “Queen of Disco” and became one of the defining voices of the 1970s. Her career spanned more than four decades and helped shape the disco era, earning her a lasting place in music history.
Summer died in 2012 at the age of 63 after a battle with pleural mesothelioma. She believed her illness may have been linked to breathing in asbestos particles released into the air during the 9/11 attacks in New York City.
Trisha Noble
Trisha Noble was an Australian singer and actress whose career in entertainment spanned several decades. She first gained recognition as a pop singer before transitioning into acting, appearing in television programs and films throughout Australia and the United States.
Later in life, Noble appeared in the Star Wars prequel films. She died in 2021, just days before her 77th birthday, from complications related to mesothelioma. Her death highlighted how this rare cancer can affect women from many different backgrounds and professions.
Female Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma lawyers help patients and families seek financial assistance from the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. They also guide people through a legal process that can feel overwhelming, especially when treatment, caregiving, and finances are already under strain.
Several women have built strong careers representing asbestos victims and helping families pursue justice and compensation.
Jennifer Alesio
Jennifer Alesio is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy in the firm’s San Francisco office. She focuses on mesothelioma and asbestos-related claims and has helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for patients and their families. She has served as a trial attorney in several major jury cases and helped win more than $134 million in mesothelioma verdicts.
Alesio has been named to the Daily Journal’s “Top Plaintiff Lawyers” list, marking her second consecutive year receiving the recognition for notable work representing plaintiffs in significant cases.
“It’s my job to tell the stories of the workers and families who have been so irrevocably impacted by the harm caused by these asbestos companies.”
Melissa Schopfer
Melissa Schopfer is a partner and asbestos trial team leader at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Since joining the firm in 2005, she has helped recover over $100 million in settlements and verdicts for individuals and families affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Melissa has worked on over 500 asbestos cases, leading teams that investigate exposure histories, build trial strategies, and support clients through the claims process.
She is widely recognized for her legal work and has received honors such as the Women of Plaintiffs Asbestos Litigation Seminar (PALS) Award and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for product liability litigation.
“Mesothelioma is a preventable cancer that never had to happen to anyone, and a diagnosis is emotionally and financially crippling. The dangers of asbestos were known for decades, and companies failed to protect people.”
Casey Cira
Casey Cira has helped families affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases understand the claims process and their legal options.
She focuses on making the process less intimidating for families already dealing with serious illness. In her work, she helps prove asbestos exposure, understand different types of claims, and move through each step without getting lost in legal language.
After losing her husband to cancer, Casey understands the emotional and financial strain serious illness can bring. That experience shapes the way she supports families as they focus on treatment and time together.
“My role is to take on that responsibility, so families have the space to grieve and focus on one another.”
Women Leading the Fight Against Mesothelioma: A Promising Path Forward
Mesothelioma is a rare and dangerous cancer — but thanks to the tireless work of women across the community, progress continues to be made. Doctors are developing new treatments and improving diagnostic methods, advocates are raising awareness and pushing for stronger protections, and survivors are sharing their experiences to help others feel less alone.
At the same time, dedicated lawyers are helping families seek accountability from the companies responsible for asbestos exposure, securing financial compensation that can make life-saving treatment and long-term care possible.
Together, these women are shaping a future where patients have more support, more resources, and more hope than ever before.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our team can provide personalized medical, financial, and supportive care at every step of your journey. Call our Patient Advocates at (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn how we can help.
Mesothelioma Hope is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by any of the mesothelioma doctors listed above. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact these specialists directly.
