Typical Timeline of Mesothelioma Exposure to Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, typically caused by exposure to asbestos, is one of the most difficult types of cancer to diagnose. That’s partly because it develops slowly. Medical studies have shown that the latency period can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years. The long latency period makes it particularly difficult to connect the disease to a specific exposure event. 

Sadly, many companies and entities use this as an excuse to avoid liability. However, an experienced mesothelioma attorney from Morgan & Morgan can help. Contact Morgan and Morgan today to learn more. 

Mesothelioma Latency Period Explained

To understand the timeline of mesothelioma exposure to diagnosis, let’s first discuss how the latency period works. For starters, this is the time between the initial exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms.

It’s such a long period mainly because asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of your lungs, abdomen, or heart. This exposure leads to slow, silent inflammation and cellular damage over decades.

Since the body can’t effectively remove these fibers, they gradually cause genetic mutations and tumor formation. By the time doctors discover that the individual has developed mesothelioma, it’s usually when these mutations and tumors have become pretty serious.

Factors That Could Impact the Timeline of Asbestos Exposure

The latency period for mesothelioma usually narrows down to the specifics of each case. We’ve seen cases where individuals have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after just two decades of asbestos exposure. Others have developed this cover after three to five decades of exposure.

Here are three common factors that could ultimately determine how soon an individual gets diagnosed with this disease.

Age

Younger individuals exposed to asbestos may not show symptoms until decades later. What this means is that they may have a longer latency period than older individuals.

For perspective, the average age of diagnosis for mesothelioma is 69 years. That means that if you were exposed as a child or young adult, symptoms may not appear until you reach your 50s or 60s. This long delay can complicate diagnosis, as you may not associate current symptoms with exposure that occurred so far in the past.

Occupation

People who work in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, or manufacturing are usually at a higher risk of more prolonged asbestos exposure. For example, insulation workers or asbestos miners often have repeated exposure over the years. 

This repeated exposure can result in shorter latency periods than those with brief exposure. The bottom line is that the more intense the exposure, the faster the disease may manifest.

Gender

Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma due to historically higher representation in high-risk occupations. A 2017 study involving 327 mesothelioma patients concluded that 88% of men tested positive for asbestos exposure as compared to only 9% of women.

Women often experience indirect exposure, such as asbestos fibers brought home on a spouse's clothing. This secondary exposure may result in longer latency periods because the level of exposure is lower.

Early Signs of Mesothelioma Exposure

The early signs of mesothelioma often appear subtly. Most of these signs usually resemble symptoms of more common conditions. For this reason, they’re quite easy to overlook.

A persistent cough and shortness of breath are among the first indicators. You can now see how such symptoms can appear as everyday illnesses.

Some victims also complain of chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest. The pain intensifies as tumors grow and press against tissues and organs.  

In peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal lining, some common early symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling, or nausea.  

What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and are concerned about developing mesothelioma, it’s important that you don’t self-diagnose. That’s because mesothelioma symptoms can easily pass as everyday illnesses like a common cold.

To verify whether you’re been affected, you should first consult with a healthcare provider. Remember to mention your potential exposure history, even if it happened decades ago.

Your doctor may recommend regular screenings, including chest X-rays, CT scans, or lung function tests. These screenings help detect early signs of asbestos-related diseases before symptoms appear.

You should also document any emerging symptoms. These include but are not limited to chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort.

Similarly, if you worked in a high-risk industry, remember to keep detailed records of your occupational exposure. You’ll need these records for both medical assessments and potential legal claims.

If you are eventually diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s wise to speak with a mesothelioma attorney. They’ll help you understand your legal rights and explore compensation options if you’ve been impacted by this disease. 

How Morgan and Morgan Mesothelioma Attorneys Can Help

At Morgan and Morgan, we understand that mesothelioma is more than just a disease. It changes lives. It breaks families. It shatters dreams. 

We also know that those responsible for asbestos exposure are usually quick to deny liability. That’s because the timeline of exposure to diagnosis can take several decades.

Anyone can argue that you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos elsewhere. You shouldn’t expect them to openly accept liability unless you have a convincing case against them. When talking about a disease as serious as mesothelioma, there’s no time to play games. 

You want those responsible for the exposure to do the right thing. That means issuing the compensation you or your loved ones deserve.

Since we are the nation’s largest injury firm, big companies and corporations know that we don’t leave any stone unturned in the pursuit of fair compensation, nor do we settle for less to avoid going to court.

To learn more about how we may be able to help, please contact us today by filling out our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.