Mesothelioma Misconceptions

When a cancer is relatively rare and unknown by many, misconceptions and myths may develop that many come to believe are factual. Below you will find a detailed list of common mesothelioma misconceptions and factual explanations to address the myths.

Myth: Mesothelioma is only a concern for those extensively exposed to asbestos.

Any amount of asbestos exposure, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, can be a health hazard. Exposure to a small amount of asbestos fibers can still cause the development of mesothelioma. This myth likely originated because a large amount of those diagnosed with the cancer worked with asbestos frequently, and were exposed to asbestos on the job or during military service where asbestos use was prevalent.

Myth: Mesothelioma is a lung cancer.

Though mesothelioma commonly affects the pleural lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the cancer is not a lung cancer. Mesothelioma develops in the mesothelium, a membrane that lines many body organs and cavities, including the lungs, the abdominal cavity and the heart sac.

Myth: Smoking causes mesothelioma.

Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. However, smoking severely weakens the lungs and decreases the body’s ability to expel asbestos fibers once they become lodged in organs and body cavities where they can cause inflammation and infection. This can lead to the development of mesothelioma.

Myth: Since a cure for mesothelioma does not exist, patients cannot expect to live long.

While it is true that a cure does not currently exist and that a mesothelioma prognosis is typically poor, treatment options are available and can greatly improve the quality and duration of a patient’s life. Stories of mesothelioma survivors continue to surface, giving home to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.

Myth: Mesothelioma is untreatable.

Several treatment options exist for mesothelioma patients. The most common forms of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Many patients also participate in clinical trials, designed to test up-and-coming treatments. Experimental treatments, including gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy, have demonstrated positive results in clinical trials. Alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture are also utilized by mesothelioma patients to ease symptoms and increase the quality of life.

Myth: Mesothelioma is hereditary and contagious.

Mesothelioma is not hereditary or contagious. This myth likely began because spouses and children of a mesothelioma patient may develop the cancer as a result of secondary asbestos exposure. If asbestos fibers are brought into the home on the clothing, skin or in the hair of someone who worked with the mineral, family members may inhale or ingest the fibers into the body where they can cause the development of mesothelioma.

Myth: Mesothelioma only develops in men.

Mesothelioma occurs in both men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, mesothelioma affects men five times more often than women. This may be because asbestos use was prevalent during a time when women in the workforce were less common. Since asbestos exposure often occurred on the job, men were likely exposed to the mineral more often, increasing the incidence of mesothelioma in men. However, once World War II began, more and more women began to enter the workplace in occupational settings where asbestos exposure was common, leading to an increase in the development of mesothelioma in women nationwide.

Myth: Mesothelioma cannot be diagnosed early.

Since it may take 20 to 50 years for a mesothelioma patient to demonstrate symptoms, many patients are not diagnosed with the cancer until it reaches later stages of development. Early diagnosis is not impossible and awareness of past asbestos exposure and understanding that asbestos exposure may lead to an increased risk of mesothelioma can greatly benefit those who may develop the cancer. Those exposed to asbestos should schedule routine checkups and contact a doctor immediately at the sign of any unusual symptoms.