Mesothelioma: A Diagnosis That Never Should’ve Happened

At HerCaseMatters, we fight for women to be heard. To be taken seriously. To stand up for their legal rights. A mesothelioma diagnosis is not something you should face alone. We have compassionate mesothelioma paralegals who are standing by to listen to your story and help you figure out next steps.

Malignant Mesothelioma in Women

Women represent nearly 25% of mesothelioma patients. However, because occupational asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma, women can have trouble getting a diagnosis if they haven’t worked with asbestos.

However, women are still at risk of developing mesothelioma through secondary asbestos exposure, encountering asbestos in older homes and school buildings, or using asbestos-contaminated talcum products.

About 78% of women diagnosed with mesothelioma have the pleural type, which starts in the lining of the lung, according to a Duke University study. Their average age at diagnosis is 65.

In addition, women with mesothelioma differ from men because they:

• Are nearly three times more likely to have peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining)
• May have symptoms that can be mistaken for less serious health issues
• May live three times as long with their cancer

Based on a report in BMJ Open Respiratory Research, it takes about 2 months longer for women to get a mesothelioma diagnosis than men. This can greatly impact the wait time for them to start life-extending treatment.

Learn more about the different ways women can be exposed to asbestos, mesothelioma symptoms in women, and when you should see a specialist.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma usually develops 20-50 years after someone was first exposed to asbestos.

And exposure doesn’t just happen on job sites. Women have been put at risk in a number of ways — often without ever knowing it.

Common sources of exposure for women include:

• Occupational exposure: While men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos while working in construction or manufacturing, women were often exposed on the job in different roles, like teachers, lab technicians, salon workers, and more.
• Secondhand exposure: Asbestos dust clung to uniforms, work boots, and laundry — exposing wives, daughters, and mothers who never stepped foot on a job site.
• Talcum powder and cosmetics: For decades, baby powders, feminine hygiene products, makeup, and body powders used talc that was contaminated with asbestos.
• Older buildings: Older schools, hospitals, office buildings, and even homes may still contain asbestos in ceiling tiles, insulation, and flooring, potentially putting workers and students at risk.

Because mesothelioma can take so long to develop, many struggle to remember how or when they may have encountered the toxic substance.

Our team can work with you to determine your asbestos exposure history, tracing the steps back and finding the evidence to back it up — all at no out-of-pocket cost.

Talcum Powder & Cosmetics

For decades, asbestos-contaminated talc was used in a wide range of powders, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products.

Because these items were marketed to women for daily use, many unknowingly exposed themselves to asbestos fibers during everyday routines like applying face powder, deodorant, or baby powder.

A few well-known brands and products named in talc lawsuits include:

• Avon
• Cashmere Bouquet^®
• Chanel^®
• Clinique^®
• Colgate-Palmolive
• Desert Flower^®
• Estée Lauder™
• Gold Bond^®
• Johnson’s^® Baby Powder
• Mary Kay
• Old Spice^®
• Revlon
• Sanofi
• Shower to Shower^®

Women who use talc-based personal hygiene products daily may have been exposed to asbestos. These products have also been linked to ovarian cancer.

Women who used talc-based products on a daily basis may have been exposed to asbestos over many years. Research has shown that this type of exposure can contribute to mesothelioma as well as ovarian cancer.

These risks highlight how even everyday beauty and hygiene routines could carry hidden dangers for women.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Over the years, more women have entered blue-collar and military careers that are commonly associated with occupational asbestos exposure.

Common occupations where women faced asbestos exposure include:

• Administrative office roles: Women in offices located in older buildings could inhale asbestos from deteriorating insulation, ceiling tiles, or heating systems.
• Bakers and appliance repairers: Ovens, mixers, and other kitchen appliances often contained asbestos insulation that released fibers when repaired or maintained.
• Doll-making factory workers: Asbestos was used in heat-resistant doll clothing and even in some toy manufacturing processes.
• Factory and textile workers: Women in textile mills and factories handled raw asbestos fibers to create heat-resistant yarn, fabrics, and protective clothing.
• Lab technicians: Laboratory equipment such as burners, gaskets, and protective gloves often contained asbestos.
• Salon workers: Hair dryers, curling irons, and some beauty products contained asbestos, exposing stylists and clients alike.
• Teachers: Many schools contained asbestos in insulation, ceiling tiles, and flooring, which released fibers when damaged or disturbed.
• Cosmetologists and consumers: Asbestos was found in some talc-based cosmetics, powders, and beauty products, putting both professionals and everyday users at risk.
• Military veterans and their families: Women who served were often stationed in ships, bases, or hospitals built with asbestos materials, while military spouses often encountered asbestos dust on uniforms, equipment, or in base housing.

Whether in classrooms, hospitals, salons, or even at home, women faced hidden dangers that have led to serious health consequences decades later.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when someone who works with asbestos brings home fibers on their work clothes, uniforms, or overcoats. When the laundry is washed, these asbestos fibers are then dispersed throughout the home, exposing wives and children as well as the worker.

The CDC states that the risk of mesothelioma is 10 times higher in women with family members who work around asbestos-containing products.

Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Julie Gundlach was exposed to asbestos when her father, who worked as an electrician, brought home asbestos on his uniform.

Between 1999 and 2020, nearly 23% of women who passed away from mesothelioma were homemakers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Older Homes & Buildings

Asbestos was used heavily in construction materials from the 1930s until the 1980s, and millions of American homes and older buildings built during that time may still contain the dangerous mineral.

As asbestos-containing products break down or are disturbed during home renovation projects, they can release asbestos fibers into the air where they can be inhaled.

In the 20th century, some household products like oven mitts or ironing boards also sometimes contained asbestos.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Because mesothelioma often develops decades after exposure, it can be hard to connect the dots at first. But recognizing symptoms early matters.

Common signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Persistent cough
• Changes in bowel habits or appetite

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms and were exposed to asbestos in the past, even if indirectly, it’s important to reach out to a doctor and mention your possible exposure history.

Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer, you may need to seek a specialist in order to confirm your symptoms and get a potential diagnosis.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is named for where it develops in the body, with 3 types potentially affecting women:

• Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Forms in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and accounts for most of the cases in women. Many women exposed to asbestos through talc-based powders are diagnosed with this type.
• Pleural Mesothelioma: The most common overall type, pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Women may be exposed indirectly, oftentimes from washing a spouse’s dusty work clothes.
• Pericardial Mesothelioma: A rare form that affects the lining around the heart (pericardium). It may lead to chest pain, heart palpitations, and breathing problems. Diagnosis often occurs later in the disease due to how uncommon it is.

No matter where mesothelioma shows up, it traces back to the same root cause: asbestos exposure. And if someone else’s product, decision, or negligence put you in harm’s way, you deserve to be heard — and helped.

Mesothelioma Compensation

Women and families affected by mesothelioma may be eligible for significant compensation. Lawsuits, settlements, and asbestos trust claims can help cover medical bills, lost income, and long-term care — and bring a sense of justice.

Some past payouts include:

• $5.53 Million for the wife of a shipyard foreman who was exposed secondhand
• $4.21 Million for a woman whose husband worked in Louisiana shipyards
• $2.92 Million for a woman who was exposed to asbestos through her husband’s job
• $2 Million to a woman with mesothelioma who wasn’t sure how she was exposed to asbestos
• $3.8 Million for the wife of a maintenance worker with mesothelioma from industrial talc exposure

Most claims are resolved without ever going to trial, allowing families to get compensation faster. Many patients have started to receive payouts within as few as 90 days, with additional checks coming in for 12-18 months.

Each case is different — but you deserve to find out what yours may be worth.

Hardships Mesothelioma Caregivers & Spouses Face

Caregivers and the surviving spouses of mesothelioma victims often face profound challenges — emotionally, physically, and financially. Grief and burnout can be overwhelming, leaving many emotionally drained and unsure where to turn.

Common hardships include:

• Emotional trauma and grief from losing their partner, often after months or years of painful illness.
• Loss of household income, especially in cases where the patient was the primary wage earner.
• Medical and end-of-life expenses, which can leave families in financial distress.
• Exhaustion from caregiving responsibilities, especially if the surviving spouse provided round-the-clock support during the illness.
• Loneliness and isolation, as many feel they’ve lost not only a spouse but also their closest emotional support.

For many surviving spouses, filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is not just about securing financial stability. It’s also about seeking accountability and honoring the memory of their loved one.

Find a Top Mesothelioma Lawyer Near You

We work with a national network of experienced asbestos attorneys who specialize in helping women and families impacted by mesothelioma. Wherever you live and however you were exposed, we’ll connect you with a legal team who knows how to fight and who truly listens.

The lawyers in our network have:

• Over 45 years of success with asbestos claims
• Helped thousands of families get results
• Attorneys who can help across all 50 states
• Won over $5 Billion in mesothelioma compensation

Get a free case review now. Let’s talk about what happened and what you can do next.