Did you know that the mesothelioma life expectancy is about 1 year from diagnoses? Although some people who have mesothelioma have lived up to 5 years. Asbestos is the common cause of mesothelioma and more men get this type of cancer then women, because they tend to work in the higher risks professions. Typically people over 50 tend to get it and it is often misdiagnosed with the flu. Each year 2,000-4,000 people get it and this disease is always terminal.