Screening for mesothelioma

There is no screening programme for mesothelioma in the UK. Before screening for any type of cancer can be carried out, doctors must have an accurate test to use that finds the cancer at an early stage when it is most likely to be cured. The test must be reliable in picking up cancers that are there. And it must not give a positive result in people who do not have cancer. 

There is currently no reliable screening test for mesothelioma. Diagnosing mesothelioma can be difficult. The usual tests for lung diseases often appear to be negative.

People who have been exposed to asbestos have a higher risk of mesothelioma and may benefit from regular check-ups and possibly tests. If you think you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, talk to your doctor.