In the United States, there are over 3000 new cases of Mesothelioma statistics each year. This occurs primarily in men, and 80% of cases are Pleural mesothelioma. The average age of diagnosis is between 65 and 74 years old. Survival rates are very low.
Many notable people, from all walks of life have been lost to this horrible disease, including:
- Malcolm McLaren, Diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in October 2009, dying on 8 April 2010 in Switzerland, Malcolm was the manager of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols.
- Steve McQueen, American actor, who was most famous for his role in “The Great Escape“
- Mickie Most, record producer, best known for his work with “Herman’s Hermits“. An auction that followed his funeral raised £40,000 for research into mesothelioma.
- Warren Zevon, American musician, died in 2003.
- David Martin, Australian sailor and politician, who died on 10 August 1990 as a result of his time in the Royal Australian Navy.
- Paul Kraus, diagnosed in 1997 and survived for a record 20 years.
- FW De Klerk, South African retired politician.
- Paul Gleason, American Actor. Famous for his work in “The Breakfast Club” and “Die Hard“, he acted for 50 years in over 145 movies/shows. Paul died in 2006, just months after his diagnosis. It is believed it was caused by his work on construction sites as a teenager.
Read more in the book “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient’s Guide“