Mesothelioma in Women
Mesothelioma has historically been regarded as affecting men more than women. However, women are vulnerable to mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, just like men. The disease can manifest in women, and they face unique challenges. The more you know about symptoms, treatments, and compensation options, the more effectively you can advocate for yourself.
Brendan Little, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: May 2, 2025
If you are a woman who has developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, the trusted attorneys at Bergman Oslund Udo Little are here to help. Since 1985, we have been seeking justice and compensation for those in the Pacific Northwest harmed by asbestos exposure.
Causes of Mesothelioma in Women
Mesothelioma in Women With No Known Asbestos Exposure
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma in Women
Mesothelioma Treatment Options for Women
Prognosis and Survival Rates in Women
Women Veterans and Mesothelioma
Legal Rights and Compensation for Women With Mesothelioma
Compassionate Legal Advocacy From Attorneys Who Understand
- Although mesothelioma is more common in men, women account for nearly a quarter of all cases.
- Women often develop mesothelioma from secondary exposure to asbestos on spouses’ or parents’ work clothes or through the use of talc-based products.
- Legal action can help women get the compensation they need to pursue treatment and care.
Mesothelioma in Women
Mesothelioma has predominantly been considered a disease that mostly affects men. That is likely because those in male-dominated occupations had the highest risk of asbestos exposure—the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma. Most industrial jobs and other occupations with a high exposure risk were typically off-limits to women during most of the 20th century when asbestos use was at its peak.
However, women still account for approximately 23.7 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because the disease is rarer for them, women must be vigilant in identifying causes and warning signs. Self-advocacy may increase your chances of early detection and effective treatment.
Causes of Mesothelioma in Women
Just like men, women develop mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, but the source of their exposure is often different. These are three common sources of exposure for women.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Secondary exposure is the most common form of asbestos exposure for women. It typically occurs when a worker comes into contact with asbestos on the job site and brings it home on hair, skin, clothing, or tools. For instance, a spouse could be exposed to asbestos while laundering a worker’s contaminated work clothes. The asbestos fibers can also be released into the air in the home and inhaled by others living there.
That domestic exposure can lead to mesothelioma years later. Between 1999 and 2020, the largest percentage of mesothelioma deaths in women occurred among those who had been homemakers.
Occupational Asbestos Exposure
Women in Washington and Oregon have also faced asbestos exposure at work. Although the most common occupations at risk for exposure are male-dominated fields, such as industry, construction, and automotive repair, women have served in these industries and face the same risks as male colleagues.
Women have also suffered asbestos exposure in the helping professions. The CDC reports that after homemakers, women who died from mesothelioma are most likely to have worked in health care or social work professions.
Teachers and other school employees may also be at risk. In 2019, an Oregon middle school closed temporarily due to the discovery of asbestos. Since asbestos was widely used in construction materials throughout the 20th century, many older schools, public buildings, and facilities contain asbestos. Many employees were likely exposed to the toxic mineral—particularly before strict asbestos regulations. However, many buildings still contain asbestos materials, so there is still a risk of exposure.
Asbestos in Talc Products
Talc is a natural mineral commonly used in cosmetic powders, including eye shadow, blush, foundation, and baby powder. Talc deposits often occur naturally next to asbestos, so when talc is mined from the earth, it is often contaminated with asbestos, tainting the final products.
Because some natural talc products contain asbestos, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that this compound may cause cancer. In particular, the use of talc products has been connected to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma in Women With No Known Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma has an especially long latency period and can take decades after exposure to develop. In addition, some asbestos exposure risks are less well-known. Thus, many women who develop mesothelioma were not aware they were exposed.
For example, a ban on asbestos in gas fireplaces and wallboard patching products has existed only since 1979. Older products may have released asbestos during use, exposing the household. Some hairdryers manufactured before 1979 may have carried the same risk.
A more recent consumer risk is using garden products containing vermiculite. Avid gardeners who used large quantities of these products may have collected it on their clothes. Finally, living or working next to a construction site may have exposed you or your family to asbestos.
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, our trusted team has in-depth knowledge of the sources of asbestos exposure throughout the Pacific Northwest. We have a vast proprietary database of exposure information and significant resources at our disposal to help us identify the source of your exposure and determine the party or parties responsible for your illness.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma in Women
The signs of mesothelioma depend on its type. Women may be more vulnerable to certain forms of mesothelioma.
Common Symptoms
According to the American Cancer Society, the most common type of the disease is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the chest and lungs. Symptoms include the following:
- Pain in the lower back or side of the chest
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing
- Facial and arm swelling
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal lining. It is the second most common form of the disease for both sexes but accounts for more diagnoses among women, with nearly 20 percent of women with mesothelioma developing this form. Symptoms include the following:
- Belly pain
- Abdominal swelling or fluid buildup
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
In rare cases, women can develop pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the heart’s lining. Symptoms include the following:
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
Women with mesothelioma may also develop secondary symptoms, no matter where the disease develops, such as the following:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Excessive sweating
Diagnostic Procedures
If a patient presents with mesothelioma symptoms, a health care provider will take a medical history, ask about job history, and perform a physical exam. If mesothelioma seems likely, the doctor will use an X-ray or CT scan.
If scans show fluid buildup in the lungs, the physician will drain and test the fluid to rule out other causes of the patient’s symptoms. If they still suspect mesothelioma, the physician will take a tissue sample for biopsy.
Should the biopsy confirm mesothelioma, the doctor will perform additional tests to evaluate the type and stage of the disease. Subsequent steps depend on how far the disease has progressed.
Diagnostic Challenges
Women are often at a disadvantage in getting a mesothelioma diagnosis early enough for treatment to be effective. Occupational exposure is the best-known cause of the disease, making work history a crucial part of the diagnostic process. For women with non-occupational exposure, getting a correct diagnosis can be more challenging.
Additionally, some doctors may not suspect mesothelioma because the disease occurs more often in men. This disparity puts women at increased risk of misdiagnosis.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options for Women
Standard Treatments
The first-line treatments for mesothelioma are similar to those for other cancers and include:
- Surgery: To remove part or all of the cancer, although there is a high risk of recurrence
- Chemotherapy: To shrink the cancer and slow its growth or as a supplemental therapy before or after surgery
- Radiation therapy: To kill smaller areas of the cancer or relieve symptoms
Few treatments have the potential to be a permanent cure, though some surgery centers have seen patients with long remissions.
Emerging Therapies
Scientists are constantly studying potential new treatments for mesothelioma. Some developing therapies are:
- Photodynamic therapy: A light-activated chemical that targets and kills cancer cells
- Targeted therapies: Drugs that “seek out” cancer cells based on their chemical differences
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that help the immune system kill cancer cells, which otherwise tend to evade immune responses
Clinical trials provide eligible patients with access to these treatments. By participating in such trials, women can help doctors learn more.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer that presents differently in every patient. All mesothelioma patients need personalized care, but the benefits are even more substantial in women, who may present with the disease differently.
The first step is finding a treatment center where providers have experience treating your type of mesothelioma. To facilitate that process, we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers across the U.S.
Prognosis and Survival Rates in Women
Although the number of mesothelioma deaths in women has increased over the past 20 years, the death rate has decreased to 4.15 per million people.
It’s interesting to note that although pleural mesothelioma is more common, more recorded deaths in women have resulted from cases affecting the abdominal cavity—possibly because this type is more common in female patients.
In general, patients with mesothelioma have a much higher survival rate when doctors can diagnose it before it spreads. With pleural mesothelioma, for example, the five-year survival rate is 24 percent for localized cancers and just 7 percent for those spread throughout the body. Only a physician can provide a personalized prognosis.
Women Veterans and Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure was common across military bases and naval yards into the 1980s due to the widespread use of asbestos. If you are a woman who served in the military and have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be eligible for VA benefits, such as the following:
- Disability compensation
- VA health coverage
- Veterans pensions
- Aid and Attendance personal care benefits
Our experienced attorneys can help you determine if you qualify.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Women With Mesothelioma
Legal action may be possible for women with identifiable sources of asbestos exposure. If you need help tracking your exposure, we can help.
Women's Mesothelioma Compensation
Women with mesothelioma can seek compensation through one of two pathways. The first is
- Mesothelioma Lawsuits: You can file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for your asbestos exposure. Many lawsuits settle out of court in less time and with less cost, but we are always prepared to go to trial.
- Mesothelioma trust funds: Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy protection in the face of mounting liability. The courts ordered them to establish trust funds to compensate the victims of asbestos exposure. Trust fund claims are typically less complicated and take less time than lawsuits.
Our experienced team can determine the right course of action for you.
Women's Mesothelioma Claims
To file a mesothelioma claim, you must identify the party that exposed you to mesothelioma. You’ll need documentation of the following:
- Diagnosis
- Exposure to asbestos
- Treatment and care-related costs
- Other relevant financial losses
The process is similar if you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit for a loved one who has died from mesothelioma.
Compassionate Legal Advocacy From Attorneys Who Understand
Bergman Oslund Udo Little is proud to have attorneys who understand your situation and take your concerns seriously. Our testimonials and case results speak to the skill of our team, which includes these dedicated women.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund is a partner at our firm and has been representing asbestos victims for more than 10 years. She has a special interest in representing women with “take-home” exposures.
Erica Bergmann
Erica Bergmann is a senior associate who has helped to secure more than $10 million in mesothelioma settlements. She has experience representing clients against powerful corporations.
Ruby Aliment
Ruby Aliment is passionate about helping clients with personal injury and wrongful death claims. She has represented many asbestos victims and their families.
Meg Price
Meg Price fights for those who have suffered harm due to others’ negligence. She sees her work as providing dignity to mesothelioma victims and their families.
Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Speak to Our Legal Team Today
Women with mesothelioma choose Bergman Oslund Udo Little for our compassion, knowledge, and skill. We understand the asbestos landscape in the Pacific Northwest and are passionate about getting you the exposure documentation and compensation you deserve.
There’s no cost to learn about your mesothelioma compensation options. Call 503-447-6230 in Oregon or 206-957-9510 in Washington, or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can women get mesothelioma?
Yes. Like men, women can get mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, just like men.
Is mesothelioma more common in men or women?
Mesothelioma is significantly more common in men. Women account for less than 25 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses.
Why is mesothelioma more common in men than women?
Men are more likely to have worked in occupations with a high asbestos-exposure risk, such as construction or auto repair. However, these exposures have caused secondary exposure among women and families.
Speak to a Mesothelioma Attorney Today
Causes of Mesothelioma in Women
Mesothelioma in Women With No Known Asbestos Exposure
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma in Women
Mesothelioma Treatment Options for Women
Prognosis and Survival Rates in Women
Women Veterans and Mesothelioma
Legal Rights and Compensation for Women With Mesothelioma
Compassionate Legal Advocacy From Attorneys Who Understand
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