Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining around the lungs or, less often, the tummy. It’s almost always caused by breathing in asbestos, usually 20 to 50 years earlier. Australia has one of the highest rates in the world, with about 700 people diagnosed each year.
See your GP soon if you’ve worked with or lived around asbestos and develop breathlessness, chest pain, a cough that won’t settle, tummy swelling, or weight loss you can’t explain. Tell your GP about the exposure.
The numbers
- About 700 new diagnoses a year in Australia (684 in 2024)
- Most are men; the median age at diagnosis is 77
- More than 9 in 10 people had possible or probable asbestos exposure
- Survival is improving: almost half of people are alive a year after diagnosis, up from under a third in the late 1980s
How asbestos causes it
- Asbestos fibres breathed in lodge in the lining of the lungs and stay there for life
- Over decades they cause damage that can lead to cancer
- Exposure came from building, mining, shipyards, power stations, brake repairs and home renovations
- Family members exposed to dust on work clothes were also affected
- There’s no safe level of exposure, but most people exposed don’t develop mesothelioma
If you’re renovating
- Houses built before 1990 may contain asbestos in sheeting, eaves, flooring and roofs
- Don’t drill, cut, sand or water-blast suspected asbestos
- Have it tested and removed by a licensed removalist
Tests and treatment
- Tests: chest X-ray and CT scan, draining fluid around the lung, and a biopsy (often by keyhole surgery)
- Treatment: immunotherapy, chemotherapy, sometimes surgery or radiotherapy, chosen with a specialist team
- Draining fluid and procedures to stop it coming back can ease breathlessness quickly
- Palliative care from early on improves comfort and quality of life
- Clinical trials are an option worth asking about
Compensation and support
- People with mesothelioma are often eligible for compensation, and claims can be time-sensitive
- Asbestos support groups and Cancer Council can help you find legal and practical help
- Your GP can help with records of past work and exposures
Common questions
What causes mesothelioma?
Almost always breathing in asbestos fibres, usually 20 to 50 years before the cancer appears.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Breathlessness, chest pain, a lasting cough, tiredness, weight loss and, if it affects the tummy, swelling or pain there.
Is there compensation for mesothelioma in Australia?
Often, yes. People diagnosed may be able to claim through workers’ compensation, schemes or the courts. Seek advice early, because some claims are time-sensitive.
Helpful resources
- Cancer Council 13 11 20Information and support line for anyone affected by cancer. Free.
- Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication AgencyAsbestos safety at home and work. Free.
- Lung Foundation Australia 1800 654 301Information and support. Free.
Evidence and more information
- Mesothelioma cases hold steady as survival slowly improves (Medical Republic, reporting the Australian Mesothelioma Registry)
- Cancer Australia: Mesothelioma statistics
- Cancer Council: Mesothelioma
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