Mesothelioma UK

Rare Cancer Case in the UK

2006-05-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

From METRO today:

"A girl of 14 is believed to be the only child in Britain to have contracted a rare cancer in the last 30 years. Sophie Ellis from Battisford, Suffolk, was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the lung and is undergoing radiotherapy treatment. The disease is associated with asbestos exposure and usually affects elderly men. Oncologist Dr Jeremy Steele said: 'Sophie's case is exceptionaly rare.'

Mesothelioma Facts

2006-05-08T04:29:00.000-07:00

What is mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects most of the body’s internal organs. The mesothelium is made up of two layers, one which surrounds the organ itself, and the other which forms a sac lining around it. A small amount of fluid is normally produced between these two layers, lubricating the movement of the protected organs. When the normal cells of the mesothelium become out of control and spread rapidly, mesothelioma occurs. The most common form of mesothelioma is “pleural” mesothelioma. This occurs in the lining of the lung. Other forms are “peritoneal” mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity, and “pericardial” mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the heart.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fiber. Many people were exposed in the military; others through their occupation; and still others, secondarily, through contact with exposed workers. Because of the latency of the cancer, it may not appear for 20 to 50 or more years after exposure.

How common is mesothelioma?

Based on information from The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland, the incidence of mesothelioma in Western Europe is expected to reach its peak between 2010 and 2020. Following are the statistics on incidence currently available by country.

Country	Cases per year	Cases per million per year
Finland	75 (2002)	18
France	870 (2000)	18
Germany	1094 (2001)	16
Great Britain	1862 (2002)	39
Italy	1050 (2000)	21
Netherlands	389 (2000)	30
Norway	57 (2000)	16
Sweden	149 (2003)	20

Who is at risk for developing mesothelioma?

Those who have worked directly with asbestos or asbestos products carry the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma, however, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals with minimal exposure.

Trades at high risk for developing mesothelioma include:

Metal plate workers (including shipbuilding)
Vehicle body builders (including rail vehicles)
Plumbers
Gas fitters
Carpenters
Electricians
Construction workers
Plasterers
Builders
Handymen
Steel erectors
Painters
Sheet metal workers
Welders

What types of products typically contained asbestos?

The following products commonly contained varying degrees of asbestos. This list is not all inclusive, and is meant only as general information.

Molded or preformed lagging used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers
Sprayed asbestos used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel work
Insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts
Asbestos packing used in firebreaks in ceiling voids
Millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment; asbestos paper may also be used as a fireproof facing on wood fiberboard
Asbestos cement products in both flat and corrugated sheets used as roofing or wall cladding; cement products were also used in gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks
Textured coatings (such as Artex)
Bitumen roofing material
Vinyl or thermoplastic floor tile

This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your doctor.

From http://www.mesotheliomainternational.org

Mesothelioma Organisations

2006-05-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

Cancer Research UK

P.O. Box 123
London
WC2A 3PX
Admin phone number: 020 7242 0200
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org

British Lung Foundation

75, Goswell Road,
London
EC1V 7ER
Phone: 020 7688 5555
Fax: 020 7688 5556
Website: www.lunguk.org
Email: enquiries@blf-uk.org

Provides information, runs support groups, has newsletters and publications. Also funds research into lung diseases. This charity is not just for people with lung cancer.

HSE

HSE Information Centre
Caerphilly Business Park
CF83 3GG
Helpline: 08701 545 500
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Produces a range of information on the use of asbestos in the workplace and about the legislation relating to asbestos. The Bootle information centre is open to personal callers, but the HSE do ask that everyone rings their helpline for advice. There are other regional offices throughout the UK.

Mesothelioma UK

National Macmillan Mesothelioma Resource Centre
Hospital Management Offices
Glenfield Hospital
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9QP
Website: www.mesothelioma.uk.com/
Helpline: 0800 169 2409

Provides impartial up-to-date information on mesothelioma. Supports the development of specialist nursing practice and research. Queries to the helpline can be referred to a specialist mesothelioma nurse.

Ridings Asbestos Support and Awareness Group (RASAG)

50b Town Street
Armley
Leeds
LS12 3AA
Phone: 0113 231 1010 (Tuesdays, 10am - 4pm)
Website: www.asbestos-action.org.uk
Email: info@asbestos-action.org.uk

This organisation runs an information and support service and a website. The website has a forum for exchanging information with other patients and relatives. A specialist lung cancer nurse takes calls on the phone line on Tuesdays from 10am to 4pm. They produce a booklet and a newsletter, which you can order through the website.

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

200, London Road
Liverpool. L3 9TA
Helpline telephone number: 0800 358 7200
Phone: 0871 220 5426
Fax: 0871 220 5427
Email: foundation@roycastle.liv.ac.uk
Website: www.roycastle.org/

This organisation provides support and information and raises money for research into lung cancers. They have support groups around the country.

The Asbestos Disease Association

26, Tollerton Green,
Nottingham,
NG6 9EX
Helpline: 0115 927 5108 (24 hours)

This a self help, voluntary organisation, dedicated to helping people with asbestos related diseases.

Occupational and Environmental Diseases Association

PO Box 28,
Enfield,
Middlesex
EN1 2NT
http://www.oeda.demon.co.uk

Organisation that supports those with asbestos related diseases and advises on compensation claims and benefits

Confidential Support

Mywavelength.com

This is a free, web-based support network where you can get in touch with other people who have the same cancer type as you or your relative or friend. Just click the link, choose 'C' for cancer and choose the cancer type you are interested in from the list. You can join the network and post a message asking other people to contact you through the site. The network is safe and confidential. People can only contact you through mywavelength.com – they will not be given your email address.

Absestos Cancer Care Charities in the UK

2006-05-08T03:50:00.000-07:00

Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

Mrs Chris Knighton
7 Stadium Villas
Wallsend
Tyne & Wear
NE28 7EN

Website: mickknightonmesorf.mysite.freeserve.com
Email: chrisknighton@mkmrf.freeserve.co.uk
Telephone: 0191 2637386

The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund

c/o Adrian Budgen, Irwin Mitchell
Riverside East
2 Millsands
Sheffield
S3 8DT

Website: www.leeds.ac.uk/meso
Email: adrian.budgen@irwinmitchell.com
Telephone: 0114 2744420

The Mesothelioma Research Fund

Special Trustees of St Bartholomew's Hospital
Dr Jeremy Steele
Mesothelioma Group
Department of Medical Oncology
St Bartholomew's Hospital
London
EC1A 7BE

Website: www.mesothelioma.co.uk
Email: jeremy.steele@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk