Asbestos-related diseases have been a great challenge to any people working in companies dealing with asbestos. It includes individuals working in asbestos mining and those using asbestos for manufacturing products. Statistics show that asbestos-related disease signs are never realized until the 30-40 years after an individual experienced an exposure.
Over the years, a question related to survival rates for individuals suffering from asbestos-related conditions has been hitting the heads of many victims and people with relatives suffering from the conditions. According to Translational Oncology department, the average survival rate for mesothelioma is increasingly improving over time. To get detailed information read more about the survival rate of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma survival rates usually vary depending on a variety of variables like the treatment option a patient receives, the location of tumors in the body, the overall patients’ health and age, stage in which a patient’s tumor was diagnosed, and cell type realized in a patient’s tumor. Scientists say that mesothelioma is considered to have a poorer survival rate compared to other types of cancer. Nevertheless, with advanced and improved treatment options, patients have continuously achieved long-term survival.
Mesothelioma survival rates vs. gender
According to a study conducted in 2014, women suffering from pleural mesothelioma are three times more likely to survive the conditions than men for at least five years of diagnosis. Women with a higher survival rate have higher estrogen levels, which are essential in reducing asbestos exposure, which is a situation that men lack. Additionally, it is important to note that the likelihood of women developing peritoneal mesothelioma is higher than other types and is known to have higher survival rates compared to pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma survival rates vs. age
Reports by NCI SEER data show that younger persons with mesothelioma are in a better position compared to older patients in surviving the condition. The survival rate of individuals diagnosed at the age of 75 stands at 4.6%, while those between 65 and 74 of age stand at 8.9%. The survival rate increase as the diagnosis age lowers, showing that individuals diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 54 stand at 23.3%. For those diagnosed at the age of 45 and below stand at 42.2%. Moreover, it is believed that the older population with mesothelioma is likely not to survive due to other health issues that emerge as a person starts to age.
Mesothelioma survival rates and veterans
There are many health conditions and challenges veterans face after they have served in the military. From mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, to physical challenges such as severe bodily injuries, gunshot wounds, or amputations, the number of challenges veterans face is high. Some conditions are brought on by exposure to dangerous or unknown elements they encounter.
Hundreds of thousands of veterans were exposed to asbestos during the war. They were at high risk of contracting mesothelioma even though the symptoms started to appear between the 20th and 50th years after asbestos exposure. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) veterans at young ages had very high survival rates compared to the older ones. Statistics from the organization show that veterans aged below 30 years had a survival rate of 30%, especially after they are diagnosed early enough. In contrast, those aged above 50 years could suffer much more and have a survival rate of 9%.