Prevention is always more important that treatment, especially for this rare and very serious disease. Usually, it takes long time - 30 to 50 years - between being around asbestos and getting the disease. When it is diagnosed is already advanced and the outcome is dead in one year.
The link between asbestos and mesothelioma is well known, and the use of this material has almost stopped after 1989, but it is still used in some products.
Since asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, it can also be found in dust and rocks in certain parts of the United States as well as the world.
Important point about asbestos and mesothelioma is that the risk of mesothelioma does not drop with time after exposure to asbestos. The risk appears to be lifelong and undiminished.