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West facing asbestos mesothelioma epidemic |
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The UK and many other developed countries are on the verge of an asbestos disease epidemic say doctors.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, they said 100,000 people who are alive now will die from asbestos mesothelioma.
The cancer, which can take as long as 50 years to develop, is caused by the inhalation of asbestos.
Asbestos mesothelioma claims the lives of 1,800 people in the UK each year.
However, doctors believe death rates from asbestos mesothelioma will jump in the years ahead.
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Asbestos Mesothelioma Health risks |
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Thousands of people were exposed to asbestos in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Asbestos was widely used as an insulator in
buildings and industry until its health risks became known. Builders, plumbers and shipyard workers are most likely to
have been exposed to it. But teachers and nurses are also believed to have been put at risk since asbestos was used in the
construction of many schools and hospitals. In addition, wives and daughters who washed the overalls of asbestos
workers are among those who have died from mesothelioma. |
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Restrictions on the use of asbestos were introduced in the UK in 1983. Since Asbestos Mesothelioma has a long incubation period,
doctors believe rates still have to peak. |
| "The peak of the epidemic is expected in 2015 to 2020 when the
death rate from Asbestos Mesothelioma is likely to be 2,000 per year in the United Kingdom," |
| said Professor Tom Treasure of Guy's Hospital in London.
He said other European countries and Australia are facing a similar rise in disease. |
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Early signs of Asbestos Mesothelioma |
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Rates of Asbestos Mesothelioma in United States, which introduced restrictions much earlier, are believed to have
peaked already. Professor Treasure urged doctors around the world to be aware of the early signs of the disease . . . |
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"Many countries are seeing the rising tide of an epidemic and all doctors need to know how to recognise and
diagnose this disease and what treatments are available," |
| Asbestos Mesothelioma is increasing in frequency and there is nothing we
can do now to prevent it in workers exposed to asbestos throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
What we can do is recognise it early, treat it actively and learn about best treatment with carefully thought out studies
because we will be seeing many more mesothelioma in the next 25 years. In the developed world alone, 100,000 people
alive now will die from Asbestos Mesothelioma. |
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Making a claim for Asbestos Mesothelioma compensation |
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Asbestos Mesothelioma may not manifest itself sometimes for more than 25 years, so one of the biggest challenges
claimants face in bringing claims for compensation is finding employers who have long since gone out of business
or their insurers at the time. Although employers' liability insurance has been compulsory for many years, the
system for tracking it down is complex. Our solicitors are experts in this area, they have access to company details not
normally available to the general public. If you have been diagnosed with Asbestos Mesothelioma and you feel sure that
the companies have ceased trading, it may still be worth a phone call to make sure.
Our number is (FreePhone) 0800 783 9535. |
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