Main causes of mesothelioma
The main cause of mesothelioma is breathing in asbestos fibres over a long period of time.
Asbestos is a building material that was used in the UK from the 1950s until it was banned in 1999.
You may have been exposed to asbestos if you work, or used to work, in the building industry in a job such as:
- an electrician, carpenter or plumber
- a heating and ventilation engineer
- a construction or demolition worker
It can take a long time (15 to 60 years) for mesothelioma to develop after being exposed to asbestos.