Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer, and it also has a relatively high fatality rate. Many people who are diagnosed with the disease pass away, as complete healing or remission often does not occur.
Part of the reason for this is that people tend to be older when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. As a result, their odds of passing away from any disease—or an unrelated condition—are also higher.
But why are older individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma more often? Can young people get this type of cancer?
It has a long latency period
Statistics show that mesothelioma is very rare in individuals under the age of 45. It can happen, but it is extremely uncommon. Someone developing mesothelioma as a child or even in their 20s would be a significant outlier.
In fact, the vast majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are at least 65 years old. Some studies have shown that this applies to approximately 75 percent of cases.
The reason for this is the long latency period. The time between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma can take decades. A person may be exposed in their 20s but not actually develop cancer for 40 or 50 years after that exposure. This is why young people are diagnosed with mesothelioma far less often, as they simply have not had enough time for the disease to develop.
Your legal options
Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or do you have an elderly family member who has received such a diagnosis? This can be a complicated time, and it is important to understand exactly what legal options are available.