30 Years of Global Rise in Mesothelioma Cases
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30 Years of Global Rise in Mesothelioma Cases

ByHolly Zink

A new study has found that the rate of mesothelioma cases around the world has continued to increase over the past 30 years. The study was published in Critical Reviews in Oncology and Hematology. The study researchers summarized the most recent worldwide patterns in mesothelioma burden. It is the most recent and thorough study on the annual incidence, mortality, and loss of lifespan for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma and Asbestos Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the world and is toxic to humans. Many countries have banned or tried to limit the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos is still used in many places around the world. It…

One in Three Mesothelioma Deaths Go Unreported in Brazil
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One in Three Mesothelioma Deaths Go Unreported in Brazil

ByAlex Strauss

Brazil has a history of underreporting mesothelioma deaths and the trend is not improving.  That is the word from Brazilian public health experts. Their new report appears in a recent issue of Occupational Medicine.  Researchers from the Institute of Collective Health in Salvador examined electronic medical records from across the country. They compared them with the official record of asbestos related diseases (ARDs) in Brazil’s Mortality Information System.  They discovered that more than 300 mesothelioma deaths were missing from the roughly 1000 deaths reported between 2008 and 2014. The researchers say such underreporting makes it harder to evaluate “remedial policies” that could help prevent asbestos-linked illnesses. Asbestos in Brazil Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma deaths worldwide. Mesothelioma is a…

Spanish Mesothelioma Deaths Likely to Continue for Decades
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Spanish Mesothelioma Deaths Likely to Continue for Decades

ByAlex Strauss

New research in Spain suggests that mesothelioma deaths will continue in the country until the “last surviving member” of the group of people exposed to occupational asbestos succumbs to the disease. Like many countries, Spain used asbestos heavily in the first half of the 20th century, especially in construction, where the mineral was prized for its durability, low cost, and resistance to fire and corrosion.  Asbestos was banned in Spain in 2002. Observing that more than 2.5 million metric tons of asbestos were imported into Spain from 1906 to 2002, researchers say deaths from mesothelioma have risen steadily. Between 1976 and 1980, a total of 491 Spanish people died of mesothelioma. By the 5-year period from 2006 to 2010, that…