MESOTHELIOMA: specific characteristics

MESOTHELIOMA: specific characteristics

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Mesothelioma: a notifiable disease

As part of the implementation of the second Cancer Plan 2009-2013, the reporting of mesothelioma has been mandatory in mainland France and overseas territories since January 16, 2012 (Decree No. 2012-47). This applies to all pathologists and clinicians (pulmonologists, digestive surgeons, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, general practitioners, etc.) who have diagnosed the disease since January 2012.

It is the 31st Reportable Disease (MDO) and the only cancer.

This mandatory reporting (MR) has two objectives:

  • To strengthen epidemiological surveillance of mesotheliomas in all anatomical sites (pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, testicular vagina, etc.) throughout the national territory (metropolitan and overseas);
  • To improve knowledge of occupational and environmental exposure factors in three populations considered by experts to be insufficiently known: people with mesothelioma outside the pleura, men under 50, and women with pleural mesothelioma.

For more information: the Santé Publique France website.

Malignant mesothelioma: an asbestos-related disease

The only known risk factor for malignant mesothelioma is asbestos, and as such, patients are eligible for compensation from the Compensation Fund for Asbestos Victims (FIVA) or for early retirement benefits for asbestos workers (ACAATA).

The Asbestos Victims Compensation Fund, created in 2001, allows all people with malignant mesothelioma to obtain compensation based on the damage suffered. The patient (or their children and grandchildren) can apply for compensation. Several forms are available on the official website of the Asbestos Victims Compensation Fund (FIVA).

In the event of death, FIVA compensates the beneficiaries (spouse, cohabiting partner or civil partner, parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren) for their personal damages (moral suffering, economic loss). If the victim was not compensated during their lifetime, the FIVA pays their heirs what they would have been entitled to receive (inheritance claim). The FIVA has six months to make an offer, which may be accepted or contested. The statute of limitations is 10 years.

Malignant mesothelioma: recognition as an occupational disease

For several years now, malignant mesothelioma has been classified as an occupational disease, and patients can apply for this recognition in the event of exposure to asbestos and receive special social benefits:

  • 100% coverage, without upfront costs, of care related to their occupational disease;
  • in the event of sick leave due to an occupational disease, higher daily allowances than in the case of sick leave, with no waiting period;
  • in the event of permanent sequelae, the payment of a pension or compensation and, in the event of death attributable to the occupational disease, the payment of a pension to the beneficiaries.

In addition, recognition as an occupational illness provides increased protection for the patient during sick leave and when returning to work (workplace adjustments, redeployment, possible doubling of compensation in the event of dismissal).

Each patient must take the steps to report their illness to their health insurance fund themselves. They can be assisted in this procedure by their attending physician (who can provide them with all the documents in their medical file) or an occupational physician specializing in this type of declaration.

To help you with this process, AMARAPE and RENAPE have produced a leaflet that you can download free of charge and which is freely available at RENAPE centers: Download the document

For more information on the recognition of occupational diseases, visit the e-cancer website.