Strong Justice For Serious Disease

What age brackets suffer from mesothelioma the most?

On Behalf of | Dec 13, 2021 | Mesothelioma

There is certainly a link between age and mesothelioma, and it’s important to understand how this works because it can help you be more aware of the risks you may face. Naturally, you don’t want to assume anything or feel like it is a guarantee that you will only have mesothelioma at a certain age. It can happen to anyone. But it is still good to know what the statistics say.

Reports do show that older people tend to be impacted at a vastly higher rate. For instance, just looking at the average age is telling. For those who are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which is the type that generally impacts the lungs, causing chest tissues, studies have found that the average age is 72 years old.

Again, it is possible for people to get mesothelioma at a much younger age, even in their twenties or thirties. But it is much more likely for those who get diagnosed to be around retirement age or older.

Why does it affect older people more?

The biggest reason that mesothelioma affects older people more than younger people is simply that there is a large delay between asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma. This delay can be decades long. So, a worker could be exposed to asbestos every day in their 30s, but they still may not develop mesothelioma until they’re in their 70s. It’s not as if older people have higher exposure levels, but just that they’ve lived long enough for the exposure to lead to the disease.

What can you do next?

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma can raise a lot of questions, and it is very important for you and your family to understand all of the legal steps you can take.

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