Action for mesothelioma day

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the most common cause of lung cancer after smoking and they often act in unison, increasing the risk of lung cancer occurring. In these types of cases, asbestos and smoking will both be the cause of lung cancer rather than one or the other.

Asbestos fibres can be found within dust and when those are breathed in, they become lodged in the lung tissue and scar over time, potentially developing into tumours over time.

Despite many people developing asbestos related illnesses, 52% of people are still unaware that exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma.

Most people who develop mesothelioma were exposed to high levels of asbestos at some point in their lives.

Which professions are most at risk from asbestos?

Asbestos was very common as a building material in the last century, largely for its fire-retardant properties. For this reason, almost any occupation that involved work on buildings from before the year 2000 could have meant exposure to asbestos. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), members of all these professions may have been affected:

• Heating and ventilation engineers
• Demolition workers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Plumbers
• Roofing contractors
• Painters and decorators
• Plasterers
• Construction workers
• Fire and burglar alarm installers
• Shop fitters
• Gas fitters
• Computer and data installers
• General maintenance staff e.g. caretakers
• Telecommunications engineers
• Architects, building surveyors, and other such professionals
• Cable layers
• Electricians

In recent years, we have also seen an increasing number of teachers and lecturers working in schools and colleges who have gone on to develop an asbestos related condition after being exposed in those buildings which contained asbestos and where asbestos was disturbed.

Question the cough

Of those we surveyed, 57% don’t know that a cough is a key symptom of mesothelioma.

This increases to 69% of military professionals and 60% of emergency service professionals (firefighters).

As well as a cough, other symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• A high temperature and sweating, particularly at night
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Clubbed (swollen) fingertips

Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the stomach include:

• Stomach pain or swelling
• Feeling or being sick
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Diarrhoea or constipation

98% do not know that it will take more than 10 years for mesothelioma symptoms to arise following exposure to asbestos, and therefore assume that their symptoms are unrelated and sometimes think nothing of them.

Because of this, we are encouraging people to take symptoms seriously and ‘#questionthecough.’ We hope this will encourage those who may have a cough or other symptoms to discuss them with a doctor, which could potentially lead to an early diagnosis. With an earlier diagnosis, there are more options available to you from medical professionals.

Workplace risks

48% of those we surveyed agree that workers need more protection from asbestos related illnesses, and more than 1 in 4 people do not think their employer has been honest about the risks of asbestos in their workplace.

Asbestos that has been disturbed should be treated as a severe health risk. For this reason, if asbestos is discovered, or suspected during renovation work, robust measures should be taken to ensure the risk is minimal.

From our research, we found that 63% do not know their rights from an employment perspective.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 any asbestos discovered on a work site must be registered and disposed of by specialists. Duty holders must, by law, see that risk assessments are carried out, along with clear plans that ensure any further health risk is eliminated. They should also provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

It is your employer's responsibility to ensure you are fully informed and to encourage you to take necessary precautions.

How we can help

Any diagnosis of cancer is distressing, for sufferers and their families. It can be a time of great fear and uncertainty. However, advice on living life to the fullest after a diagnosis is available from several organisations, including Mesothelioma UK.

Slater and Gordon has an extremely specialised industrial disease team, with offices based nationwide. They have a vast amount of experience in assisting clients of those suffering from mesothelioma and their families.

Over the years, our specialist team have been involved in some of the most important and groundbreaking asbestos cases.

We therefore believe that Action Mesothelioma Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness in the wider public consciousness of the dangers of asbestos exposure and to campaign for better treatment for those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

In addition to specialist help and support for asbestos-related illnesses, you may need financial help to protect you and your family for the future. For that reason, you may wish to speak to a specialist solicitor to discuss the possibility of making a No Win No Fee compensation claim.