What is Mesothelioma?


Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, and associated almost exclusively with exposure to asbestos. Just one fibre is enough to cause the disease.


A long "lag time" between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma can apply, varying from a minimum of about 10 years upwards, the average interval falling in the order of 30 to 40 years.


Cases of mesothelioma in the UK appear most prominently in those individuals who previously worked in ship building, construction and railway engineering (which used significant amounts of asbestos) and asbestos product manufacturing industries.


Mesothelioma-assist helpline: 0800 804 6674. www.mesothelioma-assist.co.uk


Mr G was exposed to asbestos whilst employed by a large chemical manufacturing company in the mid-1960s to 1970s. He was exposed to asbestos as a consequence of works being carried out by fitters/laggers who were removing and replacing asbestos insulation from pipe work.


41 years later, Mr G started to experience pains in the side of his chest. His GP referred him to a chest physician and following a chest x-ray and CT scan, Mr G was diagnosed with mesothelioma.


Mr G instructed Simpson Millar LLP who were able to trace the insurance company for his former employers (since gone into liquidation). They swiftly obtained an admission of liability from the insurance company despite their being limited information on which to act.


They then issued court proceedings under a fast track procedure and successfully secured over £65,000 in compensation for Mr G.


Who, Where, When and How


Government statistics show that the areas with the highest mesothelioma incidences in the UK include:


  • West Dumbartonshire
  • Barrow-in-Furness
  • Plymouth
  • Portsmouth, and
  • South Tyneside

This is due to the association and past exposure to asbestos in ship building. Other areas with high overall rates generally associated with past asbestos exposure are those close to or containing railway engineering sites, including:


  • Eastleigh
  • Crewe
  • Nantwich
  • as well as factories that made asbestos products, such as Barking, Dagenham and Newham

An increasing proportion of cases include diagnosis of individuals who may have had less intense exposure such as the building industry (carpenters, electricians, demolition workers etc) and people who have worked in buildings where the use of or disruption of asbestos materials occurs.


This area now represents the majority of new cases, therefore, a large number of people who are at risk of the disease may be unaware of their exposure to asbestos.


Mesothelioma can also affect family members who have come into contact with asbestos fibres eg handling of clothing worn at work. This is known as secondary exposure and is becoming a common cause of mesothelioma in individuals.


Men are considered at a higher risk of for mesothelioma due to the direct exposure from the at-risk occupations, although it is believed that the 15% of female cases are for the most part due to secondary, passive exposure eg by washing the clothing of their husbands or close relatives who worked in asbestos industries.


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