Mesotheliomas

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer for which asbestos is the only known risk factor. Its incidence is on the rise, particularly among women. It qualifies for medical and social benefits.

Our missions

  • Monitoring trends in the epidemiological situation of mesothelioma by producing national and subnational surveillance indicators (incidence, survival, mortality)

  • Monitoring trends in occupational and non-occupational exposure to asbestos and other risk factors suspected of causing mesothelioma

  • Monitoring trends in the medical and social recognition process for mesothelioma: reporting as an occupational disease, claims to the Asbestos Victims Compensation Fund (FIVA)

In brief

Videos, infographics, key statistics, expert interviews… Find the latest news and key information on mesothelioma here

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330 new cases of pleural mesothelioma in women and 330 in men in 2016

Information

Occupational exposure to asbestos was found in more than 90% of cases of pleural mesothelioma in men and only 40% of cases in women

The disease

In most cases, pleural cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the serous membranes (membranes surrounding the organs).

By far the most common site (85 to 90% of cases) is the pleura (which surrounds the lungs), followed by the peritoneum (which surrounds the organs in the abdominal cavity)...

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What We Do

Specific surveillance

Santé publique France coordinates the National Program for the Surveillance of Pleural Mesothelioma (PNSM)

Following the total ban on all uses of asbestos adopted in France in 1997, France established a national program to monitor the health effects of asbestos.

In 1998,...

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Data

Characteristics of mesothelioma cases since 1998 (PNSM)

Between 1998 and 2017, 5,625 cases of mesothelioma were collected and included in the PNSM based on pathological and/or clinical criteria.

Significant changes in the main characteristics of cases between 1998–2002 and 2013–2017:

  • Increase...

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Publications

Here you will find the latest scientific publications related to the studies and research conducted by Santé publique France.

2 publications

enquêtes/études

Cancers in the Industrial Area South of Grenoble. Cancer Incidence and Cancer Mortality in the Municipalities Adjacent to the Pont-de-Claix and Jarrie Industrial Parks, 2003–2013

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In relation to

thematic dossier

Reportable diseases

The surveillance system for reportable diseases relies on the transmission of data by physicians and laboratory professionals (both in private practice and in hospitals) to the relevant staff at...

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Asbestos

thematic dossier

Asbestos can cause various diseases, including cancers (bronchopulmonary cancer, mesothelioma). Widely used until it was banned in France in 1997, it is still very common in buildings.

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