MESOLTHELIOMA ACTION DAY
Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK could die from asbestos-related cancer, latest estimates suggest. Just one deadly asbestos cancer, mesothelioma is now killing 2,000 people each year in the in the UK - one death every five hours. But for every mesothelioma death at least one person - and probably many more - will die from asbestos related lung cancer. Latest estimates suggest this could mean at least 120,000 people and probably substantially more are still to die as a result of Britain's asbestos disease epidemic - an epidemic predicted by unions and campaign groups, who have for decades called for stricter controls on asbestos. The price paid by working people is spelled out in a new YouTube video from the Forum of Asbestos Victim Support Groups. Elizabeth Bradford, a teacher, Yvonne Lowe, a school caretaker and Andrew Burns, a 37-year-old who was exposed to asbestos as an apprentice electrician are among those who explain the everyday circumstances that led to them developing mesothelioma, a condition which usually kills within two years. Nationwide, asbestos groups are involved in events on 27 February, Action Mesothelioma Day, to increase awareness of the problem and to press for better treatment for those affected and for more research to find a cure. The Forum's video will also be screened on BBC's outdoor big screens. Amicus has produced an Action Mesothelioma Day poster and is urging its workplace reps to get involved. Amicus health and safety officer Rob Miguel said: 'Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after exposure to asbestos and because of this long delay it has been calculated that the number of UK cases will continue to rise until 2015.' Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson said: 'People have died needlessly from this most painful horrific disease, we will continue to fight for better working conditions, so our children do not suffer the same fate. We are determined that those who are affected by mesothelioma receive justice, and get the care and support they need.
• Great Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group news release. Amicus news release and Action Mesothelioma Day poster [pdf]. BLF news release on Action Mesothelioma Day and on the new asbestos mortality estimates.
• Daily Mail. Daily Record. Daily Mirror.
• Action Mesothelioma Day, 27 February 2007. For a full 27 February events listing, see the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat website. Also see the Hazards Campaign website. BLF events listing [pdf].
• Hazards asbestos webpages.
MoD admits asbestos 'cancer hug' liability
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to compensate a Plymouth woman who said she developed an asbestos-related cancer from hugging her father. Debbie Brewer, who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, stands to receive a six-figure damages payment. The MoD said it had admitted liability and would agree a suitable settlement. Mrs Brewer believes she was exposed to the asbestos brought home on her father's clothing and hair when he was a lagger at Devonport Dockyard in 1966. Philip Northmore died from asbestos-related lung cancer last August. Mrs Brewer, 47, said she was very pleased the MoD had admitted liability as the money would help her enjoy the time she had left with her children and also provide for them after her death. 'This is about the issue and it's also about what I'm going to lose and no price can be put on what I'm going to lose,' Mrs Brewer said. In a statement, the MoD said it 'has admitted liability for the asbestos-related mesothelioma suffered by Deborah Brewer and is now endeavouring to agree as swiftly as possible a suitable settlement.' In November last year, 45-year-old Michelle Campbell, who developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos from her grandfather's work clothing, was awarded a £145,000 MoD payout (Risks 282). She used to sit on granddad Charles Frost's knee and enjoy a chat when he popped in to visit on his way home from his job at Portsmouth dockyards.
