The chief risk factor associated with the development on mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. An individual with a personal history of working with asbestos or asbestos containing products has the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma. This risk is believed to be increased as levels of asbestos exposure increase. Those who were exposed to asbestos at a young age or worked with the dangerous material for a prolonged period of time are thought to have a greater risk of developing mesothelioma.

While this has generally been the case, some people with minimal exposure to asbestos have developed mesothelioma while others with high levels of asbestos exposure have not been affected by this deadly form of cancer. It is believed that some people may possess an inherent predisposition to develop mesothelioma more easily than another person with the similar levels of asbestos exposure.

Other Possible Risk Factors for Mesothelioma

While direct exposure to asbestos is overwhelming the most frequent cause mesothelioma there are several other risk factors that may also increase a person’s chances of developing mesothelioma.

These other risk factors include:

Living with someone who has been directly exposed to asbestos. Living with a person who works with asbestos can also significantly increase the likelihood that an individual with develop mesothelioma. A person who works with asbestos fibers can easily carry these fibers home on their skin or clothing exposing their loved ones to these dangerous stray fibers. There have been cases in which women have developed mesothelioma following years washing clothing that had been worn by their husbands while working with asbestos.

Smoking greatly increases the risk that a person exposed to asbestos with develop mesothelioma.

Some experts believe that exposure to the SV40 virus may be linked to an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. From 1955 to 1963 millions of people may have been exposed to the SV40 virus when being vaccinated for polio. After SV40 was found to be linked to certain cancers it was removed from the vaccine. More research is needed to settle the debate over SV40 and its possible link to mesothelioma.

Some experts believe that exposure to radioactive substance thorium dioxide may lead to the development of mesothelioma. Thorium dioxide was used in conjunction with x-rays prior to the 1950’s to help better diagnose certain heath conditions. Use of the chemical was discontinued after it was discovered to cause certain forms of cancer.