Mesothelioma in Women

How Common Is Mesothelioma in Women?

Mesothelioma in women accounts for 29% of all diagnoses in the U.S., according to the latest data from the National Cancer Institute. While men have historically been diagnosed more often, improved awareness and better diagnostic methods have contributed to increased mesothelioma detection rates among women.

Pleural mesothelioma survivor Kim Madril’s story highlights the importance of raising awareness about mesothelioma in women. Kim tells us about visiting a specialist, saying, “I saw it in her face. She couldn’t believe I was the meso patient.”

Key Facts About Women and Mesothelioma

1. Of the approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma diagnoses in the U.S. each year, 29% are women.
2. Survival rates are higher in women: 45% of women survive 1 year vs. 38% of men.
3. The 5-year survival rate for women with pleural mesothelioma is 16.4%, and for men, it’s 7.3%.
4. While women tend to have better outcomes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports deaths among women with mesothelioma increased 25% from 1999-2020.

Women with mesothelioma may live longer than men thanks to a younger age at diagnosis, biological differences and less lifetime asbestos exposure. Women are often in better overall health when diagnosed, making them more eligible for aggressive treatments like surgery. 

Studies suggest hormonal factors – particularly estrogen – may also influence tumor growth. Hormones may lead to less- aggressive mesothelioma in some women. Researchers continue to investigate how hormonal factors and exposure patterns contribute to better prognoses in women.

How Mesothelioma Is Caused in Women

Women with mesothelioma were most commonly exposed to asbestos in the course of their work. According to a CDC report on rising mesothelioma incidence in women, exposure most often happened while homemaking, teaching and nursing.

Homemakers accounted for the highest percentage of mesothelioma deaths among women at 22.8%. Likely washing contaminated work clothes caused secondary asbestos exposure. Teachers accounted for 5.6% of deaths, and nurses accounted for 4.9%. Legacy asbestos in older schools and hospital buildings keeps putting workers at risk.

Environmental exposure from living near asbestos mines, industrial facilities or natural asbestos deposits also impacted women. Contaminated talcum powder has also been identified as a potential source of asbestos exposure in women. 

Occupational Exposure

While men in industrial jobs, the military and construction account for the majority of mesothelioma diagnoses, women working in these fields also face risk. Historically, women working in textile mills and asbestos processing plants had high levels of direct occupational asbestos exposure. At facilities like Johns-Manville’s factories, women handled raw asbestos, increasing their risk of developing mesothelioma. 

Even jobs not directly linked to asbestos carried exposure risks from aging or damaged asbestos products such as building materials. Long-term exposure working in older buildings like schools may have contributed to higher mesothelioma rates among women.

Hatsie H., a pleural mesothelioma survivor, was a teacher in a rural two-room schoolhouse in Colorado for 37 years. She tells us, “My diagnosis was shocking, devastating really, but I’m a fighter. I want to remain positive.”

Exposure to Asbestos in Talc

Some women were exposed to asbestos in talcum powder, which has been linked to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Because talc and asbestos naturally form together, contamination occurs during mining. This means talc in cosmetics and hygiene products can be contaminated with asbestos.

Concerns have grown about long-term talc use and the risk of mesothelioma in women. A 2023 paper in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology notes, “This paper presents 166 individuals with malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure through documented use of cosmetic talcum powder. For 122 of 166, their only known exposure to asbestos was their use of cosmetic talcum powder.”

The paper’s authors conclude, “Use of cosmetic talc is often overlooked as a source of asbestos exposure. All individuals with mesothelioma should have a comprehensive history of asbestos exposure, including cosmetic talc exposure.”

What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Women?

The most common symptoms women with mesothelioma experience depend on the type of mesothelioma they develop. Women diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma often report shortness of breath, chest pain, pleural effusions and a chronic cough. Women with peritoneal mesothelioma frequently experience abdominal swelling, bloating, nausea and digestive discomfort.

Common Symptoms Women With Mesothelioma Experience

• Abdominal swelling and pain (more common in peritoneal mesothelioma)
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Chronic cough
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Fatigue and weakness
• Fever or night sweats
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Pleural effusions (fluid buildup around the lungs)
• Shortness of breath

Core symptoms of mesothelioma are similar in both men and women. However, because mesothelioma is rare in women, their symptoms are often misattributed to asthma, irritable bowel syndrome or hormonal changes. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the need for greater mesothelioma awareness.

Dr. Berlinda Love, a pastor, podcaster and pleural mesothelioma survivor, shares with us, “I had been having really bad coughs and wheezing, and it had been going on for a while. I had gone to the doctor, and they said it’s probably just allergies.”

Diagnosing Mesothelioma in Women

Mesothelioma in women is diagnosed using the same tools used to diagnose men: Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and a biopsy for confirmation. However, as a 2025 article in the journal Cancers highlights, many women are diagnosed incidentally, often during gynecologic surgeries or exploratory procedures for unrelated conditions. 

For instance, a May 2024 case report in the journal Cureus describes a woman diagnosed with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma during surgery, demonstrating the challenges women face in receiving a timely, accurate mesothelioma diagnosis. This case also speaks to data suggesting women are more likely than men to develop rare types of mesothelioma, including well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma and deciduoid mesothelioma. 

While mesothelioma subtypes occur in both genders, studies indicate they’re disproportionately found in younger women. Diagnosing these rare forms requires advanced pathology techniques, such as mesothelioma immunohistochemistry and molecular testing. 

Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis in Women

Women commonly experience misdiagnosis with symptoms mistaken for other, more common conditions. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine reports women often undergo multiple misdiagnoses, delaying treatment and worsening prognosis. 

Survivor Tamron Little, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma during pregnancy, shares with us, “During my pregnancy, doctors found what they thought was a fibroid tumor. After surgery to remove it, the tumor was diagnosed as peritoneal mesothelioma.” 

Tamron’s story reflects a broader trend where women are diagnosed incidentally. An October 2024 case study in Cureus also reports a woman was initially diagnosed with an ovarian mass, but further testing revealed peritoneal mesothelioma. Raising awareness among healthcare providers is critical for improving early detection and survival outcomes.

Mesothelioma Treatment for Women

Women have similar mesothelioma treatment options as men. These include: Chemo, combination or multimodal therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. However, research shows women often have better treatment outcomes. 

Tina Herford is a pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma survivor. She’s had pleurectomy/decortication surgery, chemo and surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemo. “I was fortunate to qualify for both of these surgeries,” Tina tells us. “I’m a fighter. And this is the battle I’m in.”

Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Treatment for Women

• Typically, younger ages during treatment contribute to women’s higher survival rates. 
• Some studies suggest estrogen may impact mesothelioma progression, possibly positively influencing treatment response.
• Women more often have peritoneal mesothelioma, which responds well to treatments like HIPEC. A study in the International Journal of Hyperthermia reported a median disease-free survival of nearly 5 years after HIPEC.
• Women who have aggressive surgery for pleural mesothelioma have higher survival rates. A study of 702 cases found women with epithelial tumors had a median survival of 27 months vs. 16 months for men.
• Despite better outcomes, women experience more complications and longer hospital stays than men.

Despite longer overall survival for women with mesothelioma, gender-based disparities in treatment access persist. An analysis of 18,799 patients from the National Cancer Database found women had a 17% lower risk of death than men but were significantly less likely to receive surgery or chemo. 

This trend was seen across all disease stages and was especially pronounced in epithelioid mesothelioma, where survival benefits are typically highest. A 2024 study analyzing 35,230 mesothelioma hospitalizations in the U.S. also showed that while men had higher mortality rates, women experienced more complications and longer hospital stays after treatment. This highlights the need for better post-treatment care, gender-aware treatment plans and better patient advocacy.

Mesothelioma Survival Rates & Prognosis for Women

Women diagnosed with mesothelioma tend to live longer than men. Studies consistently show women with mesothelioma have higher survival rates than men.

Women’s higher survival rates and better prognosis are thanks to usually being younger than men at the time of diagnosis, which can positively affect outcomes. Women are also more frequently diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma, a less aggressive mesothelioma subtype that responds well to treatment.

Research also indicates women may be more likely than men to undergo combination or multimodal therapy. This includes surgery combined with chemo or immunotherapy, which is associated with improved survival rates.

Legal Options for Women with Mesothelioma

Women diagnosed with mesothelioma have several legal options to seek compensation for their asbestos exposure, including: Asbestos trust fund claims, mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements. These options can provide financial relief, covering treatment costs and lost wages.

Unique Legal and Financial Challenges Women Face

• Most asbestos exposure is secondhand and difficult to prove.
• Women not exposed at work are ineligible for workers’ compensation
• Many women can’t pinpoint exactly how and when they may have been exposed.
• Women face financial burdens because they cannot prove their cases and obtain financial help to cover medical costs.
• Insurers may resist covering expensive treatments for this rare cancer in women.

Despite these challenges, many women have successfully secured compensation through legal claims. Mesothelioma compensation ensures women access to treatment and financial security for their families.

Kim Madril, a pleural mesothelioma survivor, shares how speaking with her thoracic surgeon led her to seek financial help. She shares with us, “Getting compensation was the best decision ever. I’m so happy I did it. Medical insurance doesn’t cover everything. If I didn’t have that compensation, I’d have been in debt for the rest of my life.”

Common Questions About Women With Mesothelioma

Can Pregnancy or Hormonal Changes Affect Mesothelioma in Women?

Research on the influence of pregnancy and hormonal changes on mesothelioma progression is limited. However, certain studies suggest a potential link between hormones and mesothelioma development. For instance, multicystic benign mesothelioma mostly affects women of reproductive age. Deciduous mesothelioma has been reported in pregnant women, raising questions about hormonal triggers. However, more studies are needed to confirm these links. 

Can Women Pass Asbestos-Related Diseases to Their Children?

Mesothelioma isn’t a hereditary disease and can’t be directly passed from mother to child. However, if a mother carries a BAP1 gene mutation, her child may inherit it, increasing their susceptibility to mesothelioma if exposed to asbestos in the future. Additionally, secondhand asbestos exposure from a mother’s contaminated clothing or household dust can put children at risk later in life.

Are There Clinical Trials Specifically for Women With Mesothelioma?

Most mesothelioma trials include both men and women rather than being gender-specific. However, some studies investigate how hormonal differences, such as estrogen receptor activity, may influence mesothelioma progression and treatment response. Women interested in clinical trials can speak with a Patient Advocate or consult their healthcare providers to explore studies that consider gender-specific factors in mesothelioma treatment.

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