Mesothelioma Causes

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. When someone breathes in or swallows asbestos fibers, they can get stuck in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. These fibers irritate and damage healthy cells, which can lead to the development of cancer decades later.

Medically reviewed by: Mark Levin, MD

Last updated:

What Causes Mesothelioma?

The only confirmed cause of mesothelioma cancer is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of strong, microscopic fibers. It was commonly used in buildings, vehicles, and dozens of construction products from the 1930s to the early 1980s because it was cheap, durable, and resistant to fire, water, and sound.

When asbestos fibers get inside the body, they can get stuck and cause long-term inflammation that leads to cancer. Makers of asbestos-based products knew the risks of exposure before the general public did, hiding the truth so that they could continue to profit.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos is likely the cause. Because this cancer is preventable, you may be able to get compensation for treatment from funds set up by the companies responsible.

Risk Factors for Mesothelioma from Asbestos

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, but certain factors may put someone at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.

Potential mesothelioma risk factors include:

  • Long-term asbestos exposure at work: You may be more likely to develop mesothelioma if you regularly worked near or handled asbestos-based products.
  • Family history: If someone you lived with developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may also be at risk of secondhand exposure to asbestos fibers.
  • Genetic mutation: According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a mutation in the BAP1 gene can increase the chances of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. The mutation alone is not enough to cause mesothelioma without asbestos being involved, however.

You can pursue medical care after a mesothelioma diagnosis and seek compensation from companies that used or made asbestos-containing goods without disclosing the dangers. Learn more with our Free Mesothelioma Guide.

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How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

People who worked with or around asbestos products can develop mesothelioma decades later. When someone breathes in or swallows asbestos fibers, they can get stuck in different parts of the body and cause mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers that stick to the lung lining (pleura) cause malignant pleural mesothelioma, while fibers that reach the abdominal lining (peritoneum) cause peritoneal mesothelioma.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of this cancer that’s caused by asbestos fibers irritating the lining of the heart (pericardium). Testicular mesothelioma is an even rarer type caused by fibers irritating the lining of the testes (tunica vaginalis).

Learn more about how asbestos causes mesothelioma.

Infographic showing how asbestos causes mesothelioma

  1. Exposure: When asbestos products are disturbed through renovation or maintenance, microscopic fibers can get released into the air. People then breathe these fibers in or swallow them without even knowing it.
  2. Fibers get trapped: These sharp, tiny fibers can get lodged in the delicate tissues around the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles.
  3. Cell damage: Over time, these fibers start to irritate and inflame the healthy cells in those tissues.
  4. Tumor growth: After many years or decades of this constant irritation, the asbestos fibers can damage the DNA of healthy cells. This damage can cause the cells to grow out of control and eventually lead to cancer.

Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and many other conditions.

Types of Asbestos Exposure That Cause Mesothelioma

Millions of people have been exposed to asbestos-containing products, and exposure could occur in many ways. Those who served in the U.S. military or industrial occupations before the early 1980s are at a higher risk of asbestos exposure, along with their families or those who lived nearby.

Causes of Mesothelioma Video Thumbnail

Registered Nurse Amy Fair explains how exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma. Call our team at (866) 608-8933 for help identifying the source of your asbestos exposure. View Transcript.

Duration: 1 min 06 sec

What are the causes of mesothelioma?

Many times after being diagnosed with mesothelioma your physician may ask you if you have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a causative factor for mesothelioma. Some of the imaging studies may show underlying pleural plaques which are indicated that they have been around asbestos and may show underlying asbestosis.

The risk factors for developing mesothelioma are working around asbestos-related products or being indirectly around those products such as secondhand exposures that are seen with wives that launder their loved ones’ clothes and have asbestos dust on them. So direct asbestos exposure, as well as indirect asbestos exposure, can be causative factors for mesothelioma.

If you have symptoms of mesothelioma or any asbestos-related disease, it’s important that you inform your doctor of your asbestos exposure so that appropriate testing can be done.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) reports that occupational exposure is the most common way people come in contact with asbestos. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 27 million employees were exposed to asbestos fibers in high-risk workplaces between 1940 and 1979.

Work sites with a high risk of asbestos exposure include:

  • Automobile assembly plants
  • Chemical plants
  • Coal and asbestos mines
  • Construction sites
  • Mining sites
  • Power plants
  • Shipyards
  • Steel mills

Although many corporations stopped using asbestos in the 1980s after the dangers were widely publicized, the mineral has not been completely banned in the U.S. Additionally, many people continue to be exposed to asbestos in older construction.

“From a global oncology perspective, there’s an urgent need to advocate for an asbestos ban since this is the leading preventable cause of mesothelioma around the world.”
– Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez, mesothelioma specialist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Military Asbestos Exposure

The military heavily used asbestos to keep several types of structures flame-resistant and durable. Due to the large amounts of asbestos used by the military, 33% of mesothelioma patients today are U.S. veterans.

The U.S. military used asbestos in:

  • Airplanes
  • Bases and other buildings
  • Ships
  • Vehicles

The U.S. Navy used more asbestos than any other military branch. As a result, U.S. Navy veterans have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Individuals can also develop mesothelioma through secondary asbestos exposure. Family members and friends may have been indirectly exposed if someone worked around asbestos regularly. For example, workers could carry asbestos fibers back home on their clothes, skin, and hair.

“There is some evidence that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.”
– National Cancer Institute

Environmental Asbestos Exposure

According to the NCI, many people experience some level of asbestos exposure due to small amounts of fibers entering the air, water, and soil. This type of environmental exposure is very rarely a cause of mesothelioma.

However, there are some places where asbestos exists in unusually high concentrations. For example, people living close to mines or asbestos deposits are at a greater risk of mesothelioma.

Learn more about how asbestos exposure occurs and get treatment for mesothelioma with our Free Mesothelioma Guide. Order now and we’ll ship the guide overnight to you.

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How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma

Knowing the mesothelioma etiology, or the cause of this cancer, can help you protect yourself and your loved ones from it. While there is no known cure for mesothelioma, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of asbestos exposure and catch the cancer early if it does develop, which means more treatment options and better chances of long-term survival.

  1. Know the dangers. Determine whether you will come in contact with asbestos at your workplace or other areas you’re frequently in. For example, some buildings still contain asbestos, which may pose a risk if the building is damaged or renovated. Being aware of the existence of asbestos can help you limit your risk of exposure.
  2. Follow safety regulations. If your job involves working around asbestos, follow all guidelines to reduce your exposure risk, such as wearing protective gear or avoiding certain products or tasks. Also, showering and changing clothes before leaving work can help protect your loved ones from secondary exposure.
  3. Take precautions at home. Many older homes, like those with popcorn ceilings, may still contain asbestos. This can lead to direct asbestos exposure and a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. If you have an older home, make sure to get it inspected. If the asbestos in your home poses a threat, consult a professional to have it removed. Never handle asbestos yourself.
  4. Voice your concerns. Contact your employer or landlord if you are concerned about asbestos in the workplace or your home. They can contact an asbestos abatement specialist who can seal or remove the products to help keep you safe.
  5. Get regular check-ups. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos in the past, it’s important to get regular physical exams with your doctor. This is especially important if you have any symptoms of mesothelioma, such as a chronic cough, trouble breathing, or digestive issues. Early detection may improve your mesothelioma prognosis (health outlook) and help you get prompt treatment from a specialist.

Get Help for Mesothelioma

Millions of people were exposed to asbestos without knowing it could make them sick. Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the truth about the toxic effects from the public.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, you may be owed compensation to help pay for treatment and other costs.

Our team can help you:

  • Get an accurate diagnosis and treatment
  • Determine how you were exposed to asbestos
  • File claims for compensation from asbestos companies

Call us at (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide today to learn more.

Causes of Mesothelioma FAQs

What are the main causes of mesothelioma?

The only known mesothelioma cause is asbestos exposure. Many people were exposed to this mineral since it was widely used in buildings, construction materials, and hundreds of other products from the 1930s to the early 1980s.

Old structures might still contain asbestos in the present day. Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, it can take anywhere from 10-50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to develop after exposure.

What causes mesothelioma other than asbestos?

There are no other confirmed causes of mesothelioma besides asbestos exposure.

Researchers have found that having an inherited BAP1 gene mutation may increase a person’s risk if they come into contact with asbestos. However, if you or a family member has this mutation, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically develop mesothelioma.

What is the most common cause of mesothelioma?

At this time, it’s believed that almost all mesothelioma cases stem from asbestos exposure.

Cancer research and clinical trials are showing that some potential genetic factors can put people at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure.

How much asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma?

There is generally no safe level of asbestos exposure. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), some victims have developed asbestos-related diseases after a single instance of exposure.

That said, those at the greatest risk of mesothelioma were regularly exposed to asbestos over the course of several years, usually in the workplace or as part of their service in the military.

What should I do if I think I have mesothelioma?

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you were exposed to asbestos and are showing symptoms of mesothelioma.

Some common symptoms of mesothelioma include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss

The only way to confirm you have mesothelioma is to get a biopsy. Getting an early diagnosis can help you access more mesothelioma treatment options before the cancer spreads to other internal organs. Contact us for help finding a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Mark LevinReviewed by:Mark Levin, MD

Certified Oncologist and Hematologist

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Mark Levin, MD, has over 30 years of experience in academic and community hematology and oncology. In addition to serving as Chief or Director at four different teaching institutions throughout his life, he is still a practicing clinician, has taught and designed formal education programs, and has authored numerous publications in various fields related to hematology and oncology.

Dr. Mark Levin is an independently paid medical reviewer.

  • Board Certified Oncologist
  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Published Medical Author
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Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

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References
  1. The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. (n.d.). What Causes Malignant Mesothelioma? Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html.
  2. Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet.
  3. ATSDR Case Studies in Environmental Medicine – Asbestos Toxicity. (2014, January 29). Retrieved from https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/51908.
  4. Mayo Clinic. Mesothelioma. (2020, October 20). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mesothelioma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375022.
  5. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Mesothelioma. (2020, October 26). Retrieved from https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/mesothelioma/.
  6. Substance Technical Information for Asbestos – Non-Mandatory. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1101AppH.
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