The National Lung Cancer Partnership is renewing their yearly Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November. They hope to use money generated by the campaign to fund research into lung cancer, which is the biggest cancer killer worldwide. Over the past 5 years the Partnership has funded $2 million worth of research into lung cancer.
Exposure to asbestos is widely known to cause a range of lung diseases. The hazardous material was popular in construction during the 1970s due to its unique properties, but its deadly effects were not considered until thousands of people had sustained contact. Asbestos was not banned in the UK until 1999 and is still widely used in developing countries.
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that is most often caused by asbestos exposure. Over the past few years it has been the beneficiary of some of the National Lung Cancer Partnerships research dollars.
A latency period of up to 60 years means that many people are unaware they have developed the condition until they begin to develop symptoms. Symptoms range from minor indications such as shortness of breath, fatigue and anaemia, weight loss, chest and back pain to more serious problems such as lung collapse and the spread of tumour masses in the upper body.
The rare cancer does not respond well to current cancer treatment methods, though early detection can positively influence a patient's survival. In the United Kingdom almost 2000 people a year are diagnosed with the disease, for which there is no known cure.
If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing symptoms of breathlessness or chest pain it us advisable to seek medical advice. You have may have the right to claim compensation if you are diagnosed with an asbestos related condition.
With the expert help of an asbestos solicitor you could make a successful Asbestos claim and recieve the compensation you are entitled to.
