Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Texas

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. In Texas, it had an age-adjusted incidence rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people from 2017 to 2021, with 994 cases reported during this period. The disease disproportionately affects workers in asbestos-heavy industries such as oil and gas, shipbuilding, and construction, where exposure risks were historically high.

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer remains prevalent in Texas. Between 2017 and 2021, the lung cancer incidence rate was 46.2 cases per 100,000 people. In 2023, approximately 14,510 new lung cancer cases and 8,330 deaths were reported. Despite these figures, Texas continues to have a lower lung cancer incidence rate than the national average.

Contributing Factors

Asbestos exposure has been a primary contributing factor to mesothelioma and certain lung cancer cases in Texas, particularly in the oil and gas, shipbuilding, and construction sectors. The oil and gas industry relied heavily on asbestos-containing machinery and insulation throughout much of the twentieth century, exposing workers to hazardous fibers.

Shipyards also played a significant role in asbestos exposure, especially during peak shipbuilding years. Construction workers across Texas, particularly those involved in renovating or demolishing older structures, continue to face risks from asbestos used in insulation, roofing, and piping materials.

While smoking remains a leading cause of lung cancer, asbestos exposure has been directly linked to mesothelioma and lung cancer in non-smokers. Even with modern regulations limiting asbestos use, many former workers continue to experience severe health effects decades after exposure.

Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop, meaning workers exposed years ago may only now be experiencing life-altering diagnoses.