The most common type of asbestos is banned in the United States. The other types are heavily regulated – and nearly nonexistent in manufacturing.
One would think this means the incidence rates of mesothelioma – a type of cancer caused exclusively by exposure to asbestos – would be going down in the United States. One would be correct.
According to a study published in Cancer Medicine, the incidence rates in rural and metropolitan areas are decreasing, a sign that mesothelioma is becoming more rare by the year. The study indicates incidence rates have fallen in metropolitan areas since 2004. In rural areas, incidence rates have been falling since 2017.
The study analyzed cases up to 2021, which was a low mark of incidence. There were 8,519 cases of mesothelioma identified from the ever-popular Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.
Facts About Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
There are only around 2,500 cases of mesothelioma each year in the United States. That number was reportedly approximately 3,000 per year a couple of decades ago.
Asbestos was a prized mineral during the 20th century. It was featured in manufacturing, construction, and other industries. Once scientists linked exposure to asbestos and cancers like mesothelioma, many companies stopped using it. Others continued but still face lawsuits today from cancer victims and their families.
Eventually, asbestos became a mineral of the past within American manufacturing. Despite very little use of it, the effects linger. Mesothelioma, in particular, takes 20-50 years to develop. So while asbestos’ use began dropping in the 1980s, some people exposed at that time may yet to develop their eventual cancer.
What Is Different in Metropolitan and Rural Areas?
Metropolitan areas are identified in studies as larger cities, such as New York City or Los Angeles or even Charlotte, NC. Rural areas are more isolated regions, such as most of Kentucky or Idaho.
In the study, 89.3% of mesothelioma cases from 2004-2021 were in metropolitan areas. Approximately 50% of patients in metropolitan areas survived for at least 1 year. Only 27.7% of patients in rural areas survived for this long.
This difference in survival is likely a testament to access to quality health care. Most doctors for mesothelioma work at cancer centers in metropolitan areas. Most rural areas do not have cancer centers featuring a mesothelioma specialist. In the study, patients in rural areas were less likely to receive surgery or chemotherapy, which are foundational treatment options against mesothelioma.
What to Do if You Live in a Rural Area?
People in rural areas can still access great health care. They just might have to travel a little further. If this seems unappealing due to costs, then Mesothelioma Guide can help.
Our patient advocates can direct you to specific resources to help with paying for travel to non-local cancer centers. These resources can also cover the cost of treatment, which can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Let our patient advocates find a cancer center located near you. Email Karen Ritter, RN, at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com for a list of mesothelioma doctors working at centers closest to you.
Sources & Author
- Trends in Pleural Mesothelioma Incidence and Survival in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas in the United States. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41395870/. Accessed: 02/06/2026.
