Mesothelioma incidence in 50 states and the District of Columbia, United States, 2003-2008

Background: The decline in asbestos use in the United States may impact mesothelioma incidence. Objective: This report provides national and state-specific estimates of mesothelioma incidence in the United States using cancer surveillance data for the entire US population. Methods: Data from the National Program for Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program were used to calculate incidence rates and annual percent change. Results: During 2003-2008, an average of 1.05 mesothelioma cases per 100 000 persons were diagnosed annually in the United States; the number of cases diagnosed each year remained level, whereas rates decreased among men and were stable among women. Conclusion: US population-based cancer registry data can be used to determine the burden of mesothelioma and track its decline. Even 30 years after peak asbestos use in the United States, 3200 mesothelioma cases are diagnosed annually, showing that the US population is still at risk.