A petition was signed by over 20000 people, petition that should aid in the creating of a special asbestos cancer research center. Experts and the general public argue that mesothelioma cancer, a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is the least researched disease in the whole of the United Kingdom.
This type of cancer is mainly found in asbestos workers, especially those that have been working in heatproof material manufacturing until the 1980’s, when the material was banned.
Mesothelioma is rare type of tumor found on the surface of the lungs, being fatal almost all of the times. It is very difficult to treat because of the location and also, it does not seem to react to conventional chemotherapy drugs.
What category of people does it affect the most?
Asbestos exposure occurs when the mineral is handled or disturbed releasing deadly asbestos fibers. The dust released can also cause several other types of lethal diseases. The following groups are the most likely to be exposed:
- Joiners
- Plumbers
- Electricians
Safety regulations
The first safety regulations, introduced in the 1970’s, were very basic, but still managed to keep asbestos exposure controlled. Brown asbestos was still used until the 1980’s, when finally it was banned. These days asbestos safety regulations are tough and in the companies where they are followed asbestos exposure is virtually inexistent.
It is a known fact that mesothelioma takes at least 15 years to develop, and by this measure, experts say that the number of mesothelioma cases will peak to approximately 2200 in 2013.
Unions in the education department are also campaigning towards the removal of asbestos materials from schools. This is understandable, because safety and health statistics show that more than 200 teachers and professors died because of asbestos exposure while in the school or university. These were reported between 1991 and 2005.
Virtual research
Several support groups, doctors and campaigners representing these people have been chosen to present the petition to Downing Street. This they hope will result to the receiving of additional funds towards asbestos cancer research. They also hope to establish the National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease.
The money needed for this “virtual” research center that will bring together all research teams in the United Kingdom will be split in two: 5 million pounds from the government and the 5 million from other sources.
John Edwards, mesothelioma thoracic surgeon doctor and chair of the British Mesothelioma Interest Group, says that funding is inadequate at the present time. He also stated that this area of cancer research needs to grow because of the increasing number of mesothelioma and other asbestos disease cases.
Many other important people in asbestos research agree with John Edwards and state that a radical new approach is needed in this field; otherwise the number of cases will just keep growing. Voluntaries are also accepted.
Besides the requirement for increased funding, researchers and experts are welcoming ideas and advanced research methods in order to provide with more effective ways of treating and diagnosing mesothelioma.
As a positive example, in Australia the government has given approximately 3 million pounds towards research of asbestos related diseases. Nevertheless, funding is required because of the complicated way that mesothelioma develops, and also because of the response to present methods of asbestos treatment. With the help of such funding, the United Kingdom researchers and experts are hoping to be closer to a mesothelioma cure than ever before.