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Malignant mesothelioma in Australia, 1945-2000
James Leigh1, Patricia Davidson, Leigh Hendrie
1Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. jleigh@bigpond.com
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|March 29, 2002
Summary
Malignant mesothelioma incidence in Australia is increasing, with rates among the highest globally. Past asbestos use in diverse settings is the primary cause, with many cases linked to unrecognized exposures.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Australia has tracked malignant mesothelioma cases since 1980.
- Mesothelioma incidence has significantly increased over the past two decades.
- Annual notifications range from 450-600 cases in a population of 20 million.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Australia.
- To analyze mesothelioma trends from 1945 to 2000.
- To investigate associations with asbestos exposure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized national malignant mesothelioma register data.
- Calculated time trends in incidence by age, sex, and state.
- Examined occupational and environmental asbestos exposure histories.
- Performed lung asbestos fiber content measurements on a subset of cases.
Main Results:
- Recorded 6,329 mesothelioma cases between 1945 and 2000.
- Australia's 1997 incidence rates (male: 59.8, female: 10.9, total: 35.4 per million) are the world's highest.
- 88% of cases had a history of asbestos exposure; unrecognized exposures were suggested by lung fiber analysis in 80% of remaining cases.
Conclusions:
- High mesothelioma incidence is linked to extensive past asbestos use across various settings.
- Approximately 18,000 total cases are projected by 2020, with 11,000 yet to manifest.