Mesothelioma cancer: still a relevant occupational disease

In 2021, the EU registered 2 380 preventable deaths by mesothelioma, a type of cancer connected to asbestos exposure, which develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs, known as the mesothelium. The symptoms of mesothelioma tend to develop gradually over time. They typically don't appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. The number has been decreasing steadily since 2013 when it stood at 3 341 (-961 deaths).

At country level, Italy recorded the highest number of deaths by mesothelioma (518) in 2021, followed by Germany (400) and France (329). In contrast, Cyprus and Estonia registered the lowest number, with 2 each, followed by Malta and Luxembourg, with 3 each.

Source dataset: hlth_cd_apr

Mesothelioma is primarily considered an occupational cancer (cancer caused by exposure to carcinogenic factors in the working environment, generally due to long-term exposure). With 13 530 cases between 2013 and 2021, mesothelioma was the second-most common type of occupational cancer after lung cancer (13 944).

In 2021, there were 1 409 new cases of mesothelioma recognised, accounting for 43% of total occupational cancers. This represents an increase of 135 cases compared with 2020 (1 274 new recognised cases). However, the incidence decreased by 214 cases compared with 2013 (1 623 new recognised cases). This fluctuation in the number of recognised cases could be partially attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the general public services and healthcare systems responsible for the recognition of occupational diseases in 2020 and 2021.

In relative terms, mesothelioma accounted for approximately 40% of total occupational cancers from 2013 to 2021.

Source dataset: hsw_occ_cnr

The European Occupational Diseases Statistics (EODS) are part of Eurostat's experimental statistics, which use new data sources and methods to better respond to users' needs.

This article marks Mesothelioma Awareness Day, celebrated on 26 September.