Australian Mesothelioma Register
Australian Mesothelioma Program & Register
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer covering of the lung (the pleura) or the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Formerly rare, it is increasing in incidence throughout the industrial world and is very frequently associated with past exposure to asbestos. It is usually fatal and has no direct relation to smoking. Australia has one of the world's highest incidence rate.
The Australian Mesothelioma Surveillance Program began on 1 January 1980. Formal voluntary notification of cases was actively sought from a network of respiratory physicians, pathologists, general and thoracic surgeons, medical superintendents, medical records administrators, State and Territory departments of occupational health, cancer registries, compensation authorities or any other source. A full occupational and environmental history was obtained for each case, either from the patient or next-of-kin. The history taking was non-directive but included specific questions on asbestos exposure at the end. Occupational and environmental exposure was based on the opinions of two experienced hygienists, who were not independent nor blinded as to disease status. The diagnosing pathologist was requested to provide slides and/or tissue specimens. These were circulated among a pathology expert panel for confirmation of diagnosis. Post-mortem examination was actively sought in every case in order to confirm diagnosis and to obtain lung tissue free of tumour for lung fibre content analysis.
From 1 January 1986, a less detailed notification system has operated, with a short questionnaire history, which is followed up by mail. In the case of all Western Australian (WA) notifications detailed occupational and environmental exposure histories from interview are available from the WA Mesothelioma Register. Only histologically confirmed cases are accepted but there is no pathology panel diagnosis confirmation. This is now known as the Australian Mesothelioma Register but is a continuation of the Program. Cross checks with State cancer registries are regularly carried out.
Summary statistics from the Mesothelioma Register are produced annually by NOHSC in the report series The Incidence of Mesothelioma in Australia. The latest version of this report is available for download Australian Mesothelioma Register Report (432kB). Earlier reports are listed below.
Work-related Injury and Disease: Australian Mesothelioma Register
Page last updated: 19/08/2009