Posted on 27 Nov 2023
An update on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure trends in Australia
Practice Leader
Many of us aren’t aware but Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world with around 700 – 800 new mesothelioma cases diagnosed on average each year.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops primarily in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, heart and reproductive organs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibre.
In 2022, there were over 900 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed, which means that Australians now have a 1 in 319 risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma by the age of 85.
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. No identified threshold exists where cancer is certain not to occur. The latency period from asbestos exposure to the development of an asbestos-related disease can range anywhere from between 10 and 60 years.
Asbestos in Australia
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and have been linked with the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, asbestos-related pleural disease and other cancers.
In total, it is estimated that over 4000 Australians die every year on account of these asbestos-related conditions.
Australia has such high rates of mesothelioma and asbestos-related deaths because it was one of the world’s highest consumers of asbestos per capita, with asbestos mining occurring locally until about 1983 and over 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos being imported into Australia between the 1930’s and mid 1980’s.
Historically, asbestos had a wide application in the construction industry. Until about the mid 1980’s asbestos was used in flat sheeting, corrugated sheets, pipes, other internal and external sheeting, tiles, carpet underlay and insulation.
In other Australian industries, asbestos was also used for automotive parts, sewer lines, telecommunication pipes and pits, aprons, blankets and mats, as well as for lagging on water pipes, gas pipes, heaters and stoves.
The use of asbestos was phased out in Australia from the mid 1980’s and the importation and use of asbestos was eventually prohibited on 31 December 2003. But that doesn’t mean it’s no longer a threat.
It is estimated that approximately 1 in 3 buildings in Australia still currently contain asbestos and any building that was constructed before 1990 is likely to contain asbestos in one form or another. Because of this it continues to pose a significant risk to tradespeople, homeowners, neighbours and the public generally.
Recent trends in asbestos exposures giving rise to mesothelioma
Over the years asbestos exposure has given rise to the awareness of Mesothelioma in Australia.
There are still high rates of tradespeople, mechanics, laggers, fitters and turners, and servicemen being diagnosed with occupationally acquired mesothelioma, on account of the long latency period. However, over the last decade there has been a notable uptick in mesothelioma cases from asbestos exposure occurring outside of employment.
An increasingly common source of exposure causing mesothelioma is occurring from home renovations or even commercial renovations in your office.
Unfortunately, we anticipate that the rates of mesothelioma from home renovations will continue to increase due to the high rates of renovations undertaken throughout Australia over the last decade.
Another increasingly common source of asbestos exposure is bystander exposure occurring in Australian schools and hospitals because of demolition and renovation work.
In the 1990’s and 2000’s construction work was undertaken on a number of schools for maintenance, extensions, renovations and the installation of air-conditioning units. In some cases, this unfortunately resulted in asbestos exposure for teachers and students who ave no idea they were exposed.
Fortunately, most States and Territories provide access to detailed asbestos registers setting out a complete list of asbestos products in each school, identifying the type and location of the asbestos. Detailed records are often held by the government department that arranged for the construction work to be undertaken.
Mostly, workers that were exposed to asbestos are able to identify and when their exposure happened in their employment. However, the increase in exposure to asbestos products means that there are a lot more people being diagnosed with mesothelioma that may have no idea, at least initially, when they were exposed.
Living with mesothelioma
The legacy of asbestos in Australia will unfortunately continue into the future, due to the prevalence of asbestos in our communities in the past, and this means that we are likely to continue to see high rates of mesothelioma diagnosed in the years to come.
Sadly, there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, but there have been a lot of advancements in active treatment over the last few years.
Whilst prognosis is variable depending on a number of factors (subtype, age, gender, location etcetera), studies have generally found that combination immunotherapy (ipilimumab plus nivolumab) and chemotherapy (cisplatin plus pemetrexed) can improve quality of life, improve symptoms and increase overall survival. There are also a number of relevant clinical trials being undertaken in Australia that may offer additional viable active treatment options for mesothelioma sufferers moving forward.
In addition to this active treatment, specialists recommend that mesothelioma sufferers also adopt a number of important health habits, in consultation with their treating doctors, including:
consuming high protein foods (chicken, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds and cheese), fruit and vegetables that contain antioxidants and phytochemicals (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, tomatoes, corn, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cantaloupe, lettuce, oranges and spinach) and healthy fats to maintain weight (olive oil, nuts, avocados and seafood);
increasing frequency of smaller meals in the event of decreased appetite;
avoiding sugary drinks and processed/packaged foods that contain excessive amounts of processed sugar;
exercising whenever possible to maintain muscle and bone strength, which will improve quality of life and provide increased energy;
by maintaining a positive support system, using relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation etcetera); and
avoiding smoking, drinking, overworking and other harmful health habits.
Compensation for mesothelioma
There are compensation rights available to mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease sufferers, depending upon the circumstances of their exposure to asbestos (employment or non-employment) and where their exposure occurred.
With the increasing rates of non-occupational exposure we anticipate that more people will have difficulty identifying where or when their asbestos exposure occurred, which can complicate their pursuit of just compensation.
It is recommended that if you’re suffering from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease obtain legal advice as soon as they are diagnosed as there are strict time limits that may apply to their claims.
We are Asbestos and Dust Disease Lawyers that travel to meet our clients personally for a complimentary initial consultation, without obligation.
Our team can assist in investigating and identifying asbestos exposures, whether it be occupational, or occurring in the course of renovations, or in places like schools or hospitals. We also provide legal advice on entitlements and rights.
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The contents of this blog post are considered accurate as at the date of publication. However the applicable laws may be subject to change, thereby affecting the accuracy of the article. The information contained in this blog post is of a general nature only and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. Please seek legal advice before acting on any of the information contained in this post.