Mesothelioma in NSW
The annual number of cases of mesothelioma in New South Wales has increased four-fold since 1980. Due to its poor survival, a similar
pattern is observed for deaths from mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is relatively uncommon, and in 2007 it accounted for 0.6 per cent of
all new cases of cancer in New South Wales.
Most cases (85%) occur in males. Mesothelioma deaths were 2.4
per cent of all male cancer deaths and it was the 16th most common
cause of cancer mortality in males in 2007.
Since 1980, the age-standardised incidence rate of mesothelioma
has increased significantly in both males and females. In males,
the age-standardised incidence rate increased by 5.6 per cent per
year until the mid 1990s but has since been relatively stable. In
females, the rate of increase has continued at 4.9 per cent per
year between 1980 and 2007. There is variation in mesothelioma
incidence in New South Wales by demographic variables such as
geographic location, socioeconomic status and country of birth.
The major risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to airborne
asbestos fibres. The use of all forms of asbestos has been banned
since the end of 2003 and some forms of asbestos were banned in the
1980s. However, the average latency period for mesothelioma after
first exposure to asbestos is more than 40 years. The number of
cases of mesothelioma is projected to increase in New South Wales
as the impact of asbestos use in the 1970s and 1980s takes effect.
The ban on asbestos does not include asbestos products that were
already in use. Implementing safe management and safe work
procedures can prevent or minimise exposure to asbestos fibres and
can prevent mesothelioma in the future.
Survival of mesothelioma is poor, with 40 per cent of people
surviving one year after diagnosis and 4.5 per cent surviving after
five years. There has been no significant improvement in survival
since the early 1980s. The best prospects are offered by the
development of new treatments for mesothelioma which improve
survival and quality of life for people with mesothelioma.
Although the unregulated use of asbestos is more than 25 years
in the past, the incidence of mesothelioma is still increasing in
New South Wales due to the long latency of mesothelioma after
exposure to asbestos. It is predicted that we have not yet
experienced peak mesothelioma incidence.1 There is a lack of effective therapy for
the disease and consequently survival remains poor. For cases
diagnosed between 1999 and 2003, only 4.5 per cent survived five
years after diagnosis. With the impending increase in the
number of mesothelioma cases, it is vital that effective treatments
are developed that improve survival and quality of life for people
with this disease.
Figures
New cases of mesothelioma, NSW, 1972-2007
 |
Number of deaths from mesothelioma, NSW,
1972-2007
 |
Crude incidence rate of mesothelioma, NSW,
1972-2007
 |
Crude mortality rate from mesothelioma, NSW,
1972-2007
 |
Age-standardised incidence rate of mesothelioma, NSW,
1972-2007
 |
Age-standardised mortality rate of mesothelioma, NSW,
1972-2007
 |
Number of cases of mesothelioma by age group, NSW,
2003-2007
 |
Age-specific incidence rates of mesothelioma, NSW,
2003-2007
 |
Age-specific incidence rates of mesothelioma by five-year
periods and age groups, NSW, males, 1973-2007
 |
Age-specific incidence rates of mesothelioma by five-year
periods and age groups, NSW, females, 1973-2007
 |
Age-specific incidence rates of mesothelioma by birth
cohort, NSW, males
 |
Median age at diagnosis and death from mesothelioma, NSW,
males, 1972-2007
 |
Median age at diagnosis and death from mesothelioma, NSW,
females, 1972-2007
 |
Location of tumour, NSW, 1972-2007
 |
Degree of spread of mesothelioma at diagnosis, NSW,
1972-2007
 |
Relative survival of mesothelioma by gender, NSW,
1999-2003
 |
Relative survival of mesothelioma by degree of spread at
diagnosis, NSW, 1999-2003
 |
Relative survival of mesothelioma by age at diagnosis,
NSW, 1999-2003
 |
Relative survival of mesothelioma by period of diagnosis,
NSW, 1980-2003
 |
National and international five-year relative survival (±
95% CI) of mesothelioma
 |
Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates (± 95% CI)
from mesothelioma by accessibility and remoteness (ARIA+ category),
NSW, 2003-2007
 |
Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates (± 95% CI)
from mesothelioma by Area Health Service, NSW, 2003-2007
 |
Age-standardised incidence rates of mesothelioma by state
and territory, 2001-2005
 |
Age-standardised mortality rates from mesotheliomaby state
and territory, 1997-2001
 |
Projected number of mesothelioma cases, NSW,
2008-2013
 |
- Clements M, Berry G, Shi J, Ware S, Yates D, Johnson A.
Projected mesothelioma incidence in men in New South
Wales. Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
2007;64(11):747-52.
