Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Since the cancer is rare, many patients and their loved ones are not sure what the cancer is and what exactly a mesothelioma diagnosis entails. Questions about prognosis and the mesothelioma death rate often surface.

Number of U.S. Malignant Mesothelioma Deaths 1999 - 2005

Characteristic	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	Total
Total	2482	2530	2505	2570	2621	2656	2704	18068

Age
25-34	4	6	7	10	7	11	6	51
35-44	33	34	39	40	38	42	34	260
45-54	138	131	144	106	148	121	118	906
55-64	388	372	361	380	386	400	438	2725
65-74	818	814	748	764	715	674	735	5268
75-84	888	918	942	975	1028	1097	1014	6862
85+	213	255	264	295	299	311	359	1996

Sex
Male	1993	2043	2019	2126	2122	2140	2148	14591
Female	489	487	486	444	499	516	556	3477

Race
White	2353	2398	2405	2447	2481	2535	2561	17180
Black	104	109	75	99	109	97	114	707
Other	25	23	25	24	31	24	29	181

Mesothelioma Mortality Rate

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the malignant mesothelioma death rate in the United States from 1999 through 2005 totaled 18,068 people. The death rate increased from 2,482 deaths in 1999 to 2,704 in 2005, an increase of 222 deaths.

Men are diagnosed with mesothelioma more often than women, and males comprised 80.8 percent of mesothelioma deaths during this timeframe (a total of 14,591). White people comprised 95.1 percent of mesothelioma deaths, totaling 17,180.

Age influenced the mortality rate, as those 75 years old and older comprised the majority of the patients who passed away from mesothelioma (8,858 total deaths). Deaths in patients age 44 or younger totaled 311, or 1.7 percent.

During the time period addressed in the CDC’s study, the state mesothelioma death rate was greater than the national death rate of 13.8 per one million people per year. In six states the mesothelioma death rate was greater than 20 per one million people per year.

The mesothelioma death rate was highest in Maine at 27.5 percent (173 total), followed by Wyoming (22.2 percent, 50 deaths), West Virginia (21 percent, 182 deaths), Pennsylvania (20.8 percent, 1,210 deaths), New Jersey (20.2 percent, 814 deaths) and Washington (20.1 percent, 558 deaths).

Research and extensive studies are conducted daily to improve treatments for mesothelioma patients and search for a cure for the cancer. Through medical advances and developments in clinical trials, more options will continue to be available to combat mesothelioma and improve the mesothelioma death rate in the United States.

Additional information about treatment options and ongoing research conducted through clinical trials may be found through a complimentary comprehensive packet offered by Asbestos.com. Click here to receive your copy and learn more.

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