A third type, pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the membranes around the heart, is extremely rare in both men and women. 

While there have always been cases of secondary asbestos exposure among women, the increased presence of women in traditionally male-dominated fields and workplaces has put them at increased risk of workplace-related exposure.

Additionally, exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc — at one time, a common ingredient in household and cosmetic products — has contributed to a rise in cases. In fact, a 2015 study found that women who used talc products like baby powder have a 30% to 60% increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Women diagnosed with this form of cancer may qualify for financial compensation, even if they didn’t work in a traditionally high-risk industry.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help eligible victims trace their exposure to its source and hold accountable the companies at fault.

Statistics of Women With Mesothelioma

While mesothelioma is more commonly diagnosed in men due to occupational hazards, women are seeing increasing trends in being diagnosed with this form of cancer.

The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of statistics for women and mesothelioma.

Rate of Mesothelioma Diagnosis by Gender

• Men: 75%
• Women: 25%

Rate of Mesothelioma Diagnosis in Women by Type

• Pleural Mesothelioma: 78%
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma: 22%
• Pericardial Mesothelioma: Less than 1%

Median Survival After Diagnosis: Men vs Women

• Men: 14 months
• Women: 22 months

Why Are These Rates Increasing?

Several factors may contribute to the rising incidence of mesothelioma in women, like the entry of women into the labor force, secondhand asbestos exposure, and exposure to asbestos through cosmetic and household products.

Occupational Exposure

The most common way people are exposed to asbestos is through their jobs. People who worked in high-risk professions, such as construction, manufacturing, and mining, have consistently accounted for the bulk of mesothelioma patients. 

Historically, social factors have ensured most people in these high-risk professions are men. However, with more women entering traditionally male-dominated fields, like industrial and manufacturing jobs, occupational asbestos exposure has become a risk for women as well.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

Women living with workers in asbestos-related industries face the risk of secondary exposure, which occurs when asbestos fibers are brought home from the job site on clothing or other materials, inadvertently exposing family members.

The wives and children of these workers face the threat of exposure when laundering or even handling asbestos-contaminated clothing. Frequent or prolonged handling of the contaminated materials can lead to significant exposure.

Exposure From Household Talcum Powder Products

Many women have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer due to the presence of asbestos in talc products, like talcum baby powder, and makeup. 

Talc is a mineral often found alongside asbestos in nature. During mining, talc can easily become contaminated by dangerous asbestos fibers. Asbestos contamination in talc products went unaddressed for many years, putting countless consumers at risk.  

Throughout the 20th century, barbers, hairdressers, and caregivers commonly used talc products for cosmetic and personal hygiene purposes. The inhalation or application of these asbestos-contaminated talc products may increase the risk of developing mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. 

Talcum powder lawsuits hold companies, like Johnson & Johnson and Avon, accountable for selling contaminated talc products — even while knowing the risks they pose to consumers.

Mesothelioma Symptoms in Women

Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma experience many of the same symptoms, though recent research suggests that women experience certain symptoms of pleural mesothelioma at a higher rate than men.

• Cough: 82% of female mesothelioma patients report cough vs 33% of men
• Chest pain: 73% of female mesothelioma patients report chest pain vs 28% of men

Depending on the cancer’s location in the body, patients may experience differing symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs. In women, these symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other pleural ailments like bronchitis, the flu, or lung cancer.

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Cough
• Difficulty swallowing (feeling like food gets stuck)
• Hoarseness
• Lower back pain
• Lumps of tissue on the skin of the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the face and arms
• Unexplained weight loss

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity.

It can cause a broad spectrum of symptoms, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting

Mesothelioma Diagnosis in Women

Mesothelioma is relatively rare, and many of its symptoms mirror those of other diseases and cancers. This can make diagnosing it difficult, particularly if the physician is unaware of any specific reasons to suspect it — the most common being past asbestos exposure. 

Whether exposure occurred due to occupation, through secondary exposure, or even from proximity to an asbestos-contaminated site, women experiencing mesothelioma symptoms should report it to their doctor. 

To make a diagnosis and determine the cell type and cancer stage, mesothelioma doctors perform imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsies. All of these procedures take time, especially in cases of initial misdiagnosis, and with an aggressive cancer like mesothelioma, time is of the essence.

Misdiagnosis in Women

Things like gender bias and the nonspecific nature of mesothelioma symptoms both contribute to misdiagnosis in women.

Healthcare providers may not immediately consider mesothelioma when evaluating female patients, as they often do not fit the stereotypical profile of those at risk.

Gender bias in healthcare can influence how symptoms are interpreted and treated, potentially leading to the underestimation or dismissal of women’s health concerns. 

This preexisting bias is further complicated by the fact that symptoms of mesothelioma, like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, overlap with those of other more common conditions, leading to incorrect or delayed diagnosis. 

Women are also more likely to develop peritoneal mesothelioma than men. Affecting the lining of the abdomen, it has a different presentation than the more common pleural type, which is symptomatic in the lungs.

Healthcare providers may not be as familiar with the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma or may attribute them to other abdominal conditions.

Women Have Higher Rates of Survival

Interestingly, despite often initially being misdiagnosed, studies show women tend to have a slightly better prognosis compared to men.

Two independent studies show a higher 5-year survival rate in female mesothelioma patients:

• According to a study published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, women diagnosed with mesothelioma have a 5-year survival rate of 13.4%, significantly higher than the 4.5% observed in men. 
• A similar study compiled by the Nationa Cancer Institute showed a 5-year survival rate of 16.3% for women compared to 7.3% for men.

Women also show an increased median survival of 22 months as opposed to 14 months in men following diagnosis. There is no single determining factor causing this disparity.

Possible Contributing Factors to Higher Survival Rates

Several factors likely contribute to women’s higher survival rate:

• Lower occupational asbestos exposure: Women have traditionally had lower direct occupational exposure to asbestos than men. Lower exposure levels correlate to a decreased risk of developing mesothelioma and potentially better prognosis.
• Predominance of peritoneal mesothelioma in women: Peritoneal mesothelioma often responds better to treatment than the more common pleural mesothelioma. New therapies like cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) frequently increase survival rates significantly.
• Women are often diagnosed at an earlier age: Younger patients are generally less likely to experience additional health complications and more equipped to tolerate intensive treatments for mesothelioma.
• Lower rate of smoking: Women are statistically less likely on average to be smokers, which researchers believe may worsen a patient’s prognosis.  
• Potential biological factors: Findings from a Society of Thoracic Surgeons study indicate that estrogen receptors may play a role in slowing the spread of epithelioid cancer tumors. Other genetic factors, like the presence or absence of specific genes, may also affect outcomes.

Treatment Options for Women With Mesothelioma

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, but understanding the available treatment options can help empower women to make informed decisions about their healthcare journey. 

While there is no cure for mesothelioma, various treatment modalities aim to alleviate symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life:

Doctors often combine these treatment options. This is called multimodal therapy, and certain combinations show promising results.

One standard multimodal treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, which involves surgically removing the affected tissue during surgery, and then applying heated chemotherapy directly to the surgical site.

One study found that women who receive this combination of surgery and chemotherapy have a 5-year survival rate of 77.8%.

Financial Compensation Options for Women With Mesothelioma

Women diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may qualify for various forms of financial compensation to help pay for treatment and other expenses. 

Depending on the circumstances of the asbestos exposure, eligible women may pursue claims against negligent employers, manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, or companies responsible for distributing contaminated talcum powder.

Compensation options include: 

• Lawsuits: You may be able to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for your exposure. These companies may be former employers of you or your spouse or manufacturers or sellers of asbestos-contaminated products.  
• Asbestos trust funds: Established by bankrupt asbestos companies, trust funds serve to compensate current and future claimants exposed to asbestos through the companies’ products or operations.
• Class-action settlements: Women affected by certain asbestos-related diseases may be able to receive compensation through open class-action settlements. A specialized lawyer can help determine if you may be eligible.

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming and comes with a mix of health, financial, and legal concerns. To help ease these burdens and pursue financial support for medical and living expenses, working with an experienced asbestos law firm can make all the difference.  

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness and want to learn more about your options for compensation, reach out today for a free consultation.