Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Delaware (DE)

Prevalence of Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer in Delaware

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of internal organs. From 2017 to 2021, Delaware reported an age-adjusted mesothelioma rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people, with 73 new cases diagnosed.

Major sources of asbestos exposure in Delaware include naturally occurring asbestos deposits in New Castle County, as well as chemical plants, factories, steelworks, and energy stations where asbestos was historically used.

Lung Cancer Statistics

Lung cancer is another serious disease linked to asbestos exposure. In 2023, Delaware recorded approximately 920 new lung cancer cases, resulting in around 500 deaths statewide.

Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate in Delaware was 55.9 per 100,000 people, with 3,990 new cases reported. In 2024, the state's lung cancer incidence rate rose slightly to 56.2, exceeding the national average of 53.6 and ranking Delaware 29th in the U.S. The rate of new cases has remained relatively stable over the past five years.