Incidence of Mesothelioma in the UK
The UK has one of the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma in the world, with approximately 2500 deaths per year currently, making it a significant public health concern despite being a relatively rare cancer. 1
Epidemiological Data
Mesothelioma in the UK is characterized by the following epidemiological features:
Overall incidence: According to the British Thoracic Society (BTS), there were approximately 2500 deaths per year in the UK as of 2018, with this rate expected to continue through the rest of the decade before beginning to fall 1
Case distribution: The 2016 Mesothelioma Audit reported that in 2014, there were 2179 cases (97%) of pleural mesothelioma and 70 cases (3%) of peritoneal mesothelioma in the UK 1
Gender distribution: Mesothelioma affects men at a significantly higher rate than women, with males accounting for 83% of cases 1
Age distribution: It is predominantly a disease of older adults with a median age at diagnosis of 73 years 1
Regional variation: Highest incidence occurs along the Thames and its estuary, reflecting historical areas of asbestos use in shipbuilding and industry 2
Asbestos Exposure and Risk Factors
Approximately 85% of mesothelioma cases in males are attributable to occupational asbestos exposure 1
The UK banned the use of asbestos products in 1999, but due to the long latency period (typically 30-40 years between exposure and disease development), cases continue to occur 1
Even areas without heavy industrial use of asbestos have reported high incidence rates, with one study from Exeter showing an incidence rate of 12.1 per 100,000 per year in men over 40 years 3
Trends and Projections
The incidence of mesothelioma has been increasing steadily since systematic recording began in the late 1960s 1
According to ESMO guidelines, the UK has one of the highest incidence rates in Europe at 1.25/100,000 population 1
The UK is considered one of the countries with the greatest previous asbestos use, alongside the Netherlands and Australia 1
Current projections suggest the number of cases will begin to fall after this decade, reflecting the impact of asbestos bans implemented decades ago 1
Survival and Outcomes
Overall median survival is 9.5 months, with 1-year and 3-year survival rates of 41% and 12%, respectively 1
Treatment patterns and outcomes show significant variation across different regions of the UK 1
67% of patients receive active anticancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery) 1
Clinical Implications
The high incidence of mesothelioma in the UK necessitates continued vigilance in recognizing symptoms in at-risk populations, particularly older men with history of potential asbestos exposure
Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion even in areas without traditional heavy industrial exposure to asbestos
The significant burden of disease underscores the importance of specialized mesothelioma multidisciplinary teams and treatment centers to optimize care
The UK's high incidence of mesothelioma reflects its historical industrial use of asbestos, with cases continuing to emerge decades after exposure due to the long latency period of the disease. While incidence is expected to decline in coming years, mesothelioma remains a significant health concern requiring specialized expertise in diagnosis and management.