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Last Updated on November 2, 2016 by
According to a charity dealing with people suffering with asbestos related diseases following exposure, terminal illnesses are on the rise due to asbestos.
The charity, Asbestos Action Tayside, say the number of people coming to them for help has risen dramatically, and they are very concerned about the number of people being diagnosed with a terminal asbestos illness.
Numbers taken from records in September 2015 through to August 2016 show a total of 62 people being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, mesothelioma, compared with just 34 the year before during the same period.
The Manager of Asbestos Action Tayside, John Fearn, told newspapers, “The referral rate for those with mesothelioma coming to us for support has shot up suddenly in the last year.”
“At the moment we are unsure of the reason behind this but we are working to find out why this is.”
“The reason for the steady rise in non-terminal cases is understandable, as the health service gets better and better at recognising the symptoms exposure to asbestos brings about.”
“But the leap in terminal diagnoses is extremely scary.”
“With the vast majority of people exposed to asbestos in the 1960s and 70s it was thought the number of terminal conditions would decrease.”
“A lot of people would have been exposed to it when manufacturing firms and ship yards were major employers in the area.”
“But the figures throughout last year have definitely bucked the trend we were experiencing.”
“The increase just wasn’t expected at all and it’s very concerning.”
Mr Fearn went onto say, “The peak number of asbestos-related diagnoses was expected to be this year, but it has since been pushed back to 2020.
“So it is very likely these figures will get higher.”
“We are currently trying to find out exactly why terminal cases are getting higher.”
“The last year is the busiest the organisation has been since I started working here eight years ago.”
Mr Fearn added, “Asbestosis is a really serious condition and has a massive impact on people’s lives.”
“Those with the likes of asbestosis are seriously affected throughout their lives.”
“After gentle exercise it can feel like they are walking around with a plastic bag on their head.”
“But terminal mesothelioma can leave the person and their families totally dejected.”
The asbestos charity based in Dundee provides help and support to local people suffering with asbestos related diseases.
Charity Manager, John Fearn, further commented, “It’s a violent form of lung cancer and has a very short prognosis — people affected don’t have long after the diagnosis.”
“We are here to help people, be that by getting them the welfare benefits they are eligible for or by helping them find lawyers to represent them in civil matters.”
“Despite the fact most folk don’t work in environments where asbestos is an issue any more, John says it’s still an issue that is affecting people.”
“The last year’s worth of figures shows that asbestos is still a huge issue in people’s lives.”
“I would urge people who have worked with asbestos in the past to ask for a check-up with their GP.”
“I would also urge doctors to ask the question whether their patients have ever been exposed to the material.”
Source of article:- www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/scary-rise-terminal-illnesses-due-impact-asbestos/
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Published Nov 02, 2016
