Mesothelioma information and awareness is on of the most important weapons against this asbestos induced disease. Malignant mesothelioma cancer has an exceptionally long latency period. The term “latency” in a medical context is defined as the period of time between the beginning of an ailment and the point at which the symptoms are being noticeable. According to the majority of the experts, in the situation of mesothelioma, the latency period ranges from 20 to 50 years after early exposure to the hazardous substance as asbestos, despite of the fact that there have been cases in point when the span of time was shorter or longer. Mesothelioma is infrequent in people under the age of 55 about three-fourths of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are over the age of 65. Due to the long latency period associated with the cancer, those exposed to perilous elements as asbestos during the 1950s, '60s and '70s are starting to show  mesothelioma indications today, decades after they were open to the elements of asbestos. A large number of mesothelioma cancer patients were subject to asbestos at some lower extent, but frequently for much longer periods of times, possibly decades. People who worked in asbestos jobs such as mining and shipbuilding, or who spent their military service working with asbestos products, have shown latencies that date from the 1940s during World War II, about 50 years ago.
Mesothelioma's latency period is classified into three groups of patients. Here is how health care professionals categorize them:

1. Patients with high levels of exposure of a short duration
2. Victims with high levels of exposure of  long duration
3. Sufferers with low levels of exposure of long duration

The higher exposure to asbestos will result to shorter latency period. Patients showing a higher lung burden of asbestos which means there is a greater amount of asbestos fibers in the lungs on biopsy, possibly will have shorter latency times. The highest asbestos burden and the shortest latency times have been shown in patients who were occupationally exposed during jobs surrounded by asbestos and insulation industries and in shipyards. Although asbestos consciousness and mesothelioma information have significantly improved, the very long latency period of mesothelioma  is a critical factor that contributes to its poor prognosis. This is why this disease remains unnoticed for a long period of time compared to other form of cancers. All cancers tend to have a better prognosis when discovered early. Early diagnosis increases the effectiveness of treatment but sad to say, even the symptoms of mesothelioma that do become visible early just imitate those of other ailments, like influenza. Scientists are still researching to find ways through the technological advances that can aid in the discovery and treatment of this aggressive cancer, but there’s no chance to turn back the clock and prevent exposure that may have happened decades ago. When the disease finally reveals itself in physical symptoms, it has likely progressed to an advanced stage during this latency period.