mesothelioma cancer because of the rapidly rising number of
mesothelioma diagnosis.
The Australian workforce once relied heavily on jobs from
asbestos-related processing and construction companies and now is
finding that they are becoming victims of their one-time employment.
Mesothelioma Death Rates
A professor for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
used World Health Organization (WHO) figures and found that the UK and
Australia both currently lead in the number of mesothelioma-related
deaths worldwide.
Professor Julian Peto, head of the Cancer Research UK Epidemiology and
Genetics Group, speculated that the death rate from asbestos-related
diseases will only increase, especially among men who are currently 40
years of age, and who will become nearly 100 times more likely to die
by the time they reach 80 years of age.
Peto also speculated that since the 1980s, there have been
approximately 10,000 cases of mesothelioma reported in Australia
alone. He also concluded that within the next 40 years, more than
25,000 Australians could die from asbestosis.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma Diagnosis
At its peak, in the 1970s, nearly 10,000 tonnes (equivalent to more
than 22 million pounds) of brown asbestos was being imported into
Australia for use in the construction industry, largely affecting
construction workers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and shipyard
workers.
According to Peto, who presented his findings at a public lecture at
the University of Melbourne in April 2008, nearly 500 Australian men
and 100 Australian women are diagnosed each year with asbestos-related
conditions including mesothelioma cancer.
What is Asbestos and How Does it Cause Mesothelioma?
Vermiculite is a mineral for which asbestos comes from. There are
several types of asbestos found throughout the world, and the use of
asbestos was wide spread during the 20th century worldwide, as it was
a heat-resistant product that was inexpensively produced, offering the
construction industry a cheaply made and easily mass produced product.
In Australia, not only was asbestos mined, but it was imported as
well. Over the years, any exposure to asbestos may have infected an
individual with mesothelioma cancer.
Inhaling asbestos dust may cause mesothelioma cancer, an aggressive
form of lung cancer. It is often misdiagnosed and even when symptoms
are present, it can be difficult to diagnose.
Often termed "a silent killer" because it remains dormant for years,
showing no signs or symptoms in victims. Mesothelioma can be a dormant
condition, not revealing symptoms for decades in an individual.
Types of Asbestos
There are six types of asbestos commonly found including, chrysotile
(white), amosite (brown), crocidolite (blue), tremolite, anthophyllite
and actinolite. Blue, brown and white were the most commonly used
types of asbestos. Chrysotile is considered a more flexible form of
asbestos and its use was implemented into a range of products
including cement roofing sheets for buildings, brake linings, pipe
insulation, floor tiles, and even for fire protection within fuses. In
the United States, chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos
found and a large contributor for mesothelioma there.
Both the brown and blue, amosite and crocidolite asbestos, had been
banned in Australia in the 1980s. Crocidolite is also predominately
found in Australia and Africa.
Regulations for brown and blue asbestos didn't occur until the 1980s.
Australian Mesothelioma Treatment Facilities Increase
Due to the high rate of asbestosis cases reported in Australia, with
no relief in site, many medical facilities and mesothelioma research
centers are setting up headquarters there.
For example, the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia and the
Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society are two groups
working to offer mesothelioma victims support and information
regarding their condition as well as funding for the research of
mesothelioma treatments.
While mesothelioma treatment research continues there are no known
cures for asbestos-related illnesses. Individuals are advised to speak
with an experienced mesothelioma law firm to learn more about
developing mesothelioma litigation.
Because of the preventable nature of mesothelioma and the high costs
associated with managing the disease, developing a mesothelioma
lawsuit may provide monetary compensation as a potential outcome for
victims seeking relief.
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