Anything that increases the chance of getting a disease to a person is called as risk factor. Different cancers have different risk factors.The major risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.Sometimes it may occur without any exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.

Some of the professions where people are more at risk are

Insulators – These people were among the most exposed to asbestos. They were even known as asbestos workers.

Boilermakers – Though the use of asbestos was banned in many industries, these people are still at risk because they have to maintain older boilers that contain asbestos.

Shipfitters - These people are at increased risk for lung cancer mesothelioma as they often work in constricted spaces.

Steel Workers – Manufacturing of steel products would have exposed them to dangerously high levels of asbestos resulting in many of them contracting the fatal disease of mesothelioma.

Maintenance Workers – While performing repair works, repair of facilities with asbestos in place, and the material may be disturbed and release asbestos in the air.

Pipe Fitters

Brake Mechanics

Another reason was the use of Thorotrast in the use of x-rays. Also zeolite which is a silicate mineral found in certain parts of Turkey is believed to have caused some mesothelioma related deaths in this part. Though tobacco alone doesn’t induce mesothelioma it increases the risk of this disease for asbestos workers.