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CURRENT CAMPAIGNS

ASBESTOS RELATED ILLNESSES There are number of Illnesses associated with asbestos exposure including: MESOTHELIOMA This is a tumour which affects the mesothelium which plays an important role in maintaining the body's normal functions. Mesothelioma occurs most commonly in the lining of the lung but can also affect the lining of the abdominal cavity, heart and testes. Mesothelioma may be peritoneal, pleural, sarcomatoid or epithelioid. In all cases, an initially small tumour grows over time to encase the organ. Mesothelioma does not usually spread to other parts of the body like other cancers. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and there is a direct correlation between the level of exposure to asbestos and the risk of developing mesothelioma. Tragically, even very low amounts of exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma.   LUNG CANCER This is a tumour of the bronchi or of the lungs. Lung cancer is the most common asbestos related fatal disease and it is accepted that people who smoke and/or have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. There is no precise clinical means of distinguishing between lung cancer caused by asbestos and lung cancer caused by smoking. However, the fact that a sufferer has smoked (or continues to do so) does not mean that a claim for compensation will not succeed.   ASBESTOSIS This is fibrosis/scarring of the lungs resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibres. The term is regularly misused to describe any asbestos related condition. Whilst a non-cancerous condition, asbestosis can be disabling, sometimes requiring the sufferer to use daily amounts of oxygen. It is usually individuals who have had significant exposure to asbestos fibres over several years who go on to develop asbestosis. The effects normally appear 20 or more years after exposure. Symptoms include basal crackles (gurgling or similar sounds from the bottom of the lung), finger clubbing, and shortness of breath on exertion.   PLEURAL THICKENING This is a non-cancerous thickening of the pleural membrane surrounding the lung or lungs. Although a non-cancerous condition, it can cause breathlessness as the lungs are prevented from functioning properly. In many cases the discomfort is only mild but may become more severe over time. Pleural thickening can sometimes be identified by simple x-ray or CT scan.   PLEURAL PLAQUES These are small areas of scarring on the outlining of the lungs commonly caused by a lower dose of asbestos exposure than is needed for asbestosis. It is often referred to as "shadowing" of the lining of the lung and is a non-cancerous condition not normally causing any respiratory problems.