Mesothelioma is a rare disease which affects the pleura and has high fatality rate. It is caused due to asbestos exposure. It is found that mesothelioma cases in Canada are only due to exposure to asbestos. Its risk is not only restricted to workplace where asbestos is extensively used but has also affected the families of workers due to asbestos material on their clothing. In spite of evidence that asbestos exposure leads to mesothelioma cancer, industries continue to use and promote its products in Canada. They are also lobbying for the usage of chrysotile, a type of asbestos responsible for mesothelioma. While the industries in Canada claim that this fiber is safe, the Canadian Medical Association and the World Health Organization dispute this fact.Mesothelioma Cases in CanadaThe number of mesothelioma cases in Canada each year, has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years. Also the annual incidence rate has risen from 1.4 to 2.1 per 100 000 people. Moreover, it is not restricted to specific areas in the country but is spread across the country. As mesothelioma cancer has long latency period and cannot be diagnosed until 30 years after the first exposure, the cases diagnosed now is due to asbestos exposure in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.Statistics also indicate that as compared to mesothelioma around the world, the disease in Canada is seen more among men and less common among women (78 diagnoses in Canada in 2003 indicating only 18% of all new cases of mesothelioma that year). Most asbestos exposure in Canada is caused due to mining and milling, manufacturing and construction sectors. Canada continues to be a major exporter of this deadly fiber to countries where adequate surveillance of asbestos exposure is not present. Statistics about mesothelioma cancer in Canada indicate the following:Similar to most cases of mesothelioma worldwide, cases of mesothelioma in Canada are also due to asbestos exposure at workplaceCanada is still pr oducing asbestos and exporting it to developing countriesConstruction workers are also prone to this deadly disease due to asbestos exposureMore men are diagnosed each year with mesotheliomaOnly one-third of patients with mesothelioma in Canada has filed for mesothelioma lawsuit and has received mesothelioma settlementCanadian Mesothelioma Deaths on the RiseBased on the figures provided by Statistics Canada, cases of mesothelioma cancer is on the rise in spite of the reduction in usage of asbestos in building products since the middle of the last century. The number of new mesothelioma cases in the last 15 years has risen from 276 to 461 or 67 percent. Experts feel that this trend will continue for some more years owing to the long duration of dormancy of the disease.Due to the long latency period which could be as much as five decades mesothelioma affects some of the vital tissues of the body and upon diagnosis, the prognoses is not usually effective. Few mesothelioma patie nts survive more than two years but this time frame can be increased if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage and treated aggressively with surgery and dual chemotherapy regimens.
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