There are many cases of mesothelioma throughout the United States throughout the last 20 years, although it is still believed by many doctors that mesothelioma is not a common cancer to have. Normally, mesothelioma can only affect you if you have come in contact with the lethal natural mineral known as asbestos. Most research indicated that mesothelioma is not a common cancer, even though there are 1500 new cases of mesothelioma every year that are diagnosed in of the United States.  Interestingly, mesothelioma has a greater degree of effect on the male gender than it does on the female gender. However, this imbalance may be due to the fact that so many men have had greater exposure to asbestos than women.