Five things you should know about mesothelioma
THE number of people being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases is growing. In fact, there are now more than 5,000 deaths in Britain each year from serious conditions caused by exposure to asbestos fibres.
Mesothelioma is one such disease affecting about 2,500 people in the UK each year. Phillip Gower, a specialist asbestos disease solicitor from Novum Law in Cardiff, outlines five things you should know about mesothelioma and what you should do if you or a family member has been affected:
1. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs or, more rarely, the lining of the abdomen (known as peritoneal mesothelioma). Nearly all cases of mesothelioma are believed to be caused by asbestos exposure.
2. What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of mesothelioma tend to develop gradually over time. Often, symptoms don’t appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. They include chest pains, shortness of breath, persistent cough, fatigue, high temperature and sweating (particularly at night), loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and swollen fingertips.
3. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
The first port of call is your GP. If they suspect mesothelioma, they will refer you to hospital for tests. These may include an X-ray of your chest or stomach, a CT scan to take detailed images of the inside of your body, an examination of the inside of your chest or stomach with a long, thin camera known as a thoracoscopy or laparoscopy. They may also drain some fluid to be tested or take a small sample of tissue (called a biopsy).
4. How is it treated? Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, so treatment is usually focused on controlling the symptoms and prolonging life for as long as possible. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be effective at reducing the size of tumours and killing cancer cells. New therapies are emerging that may have a positive impact on symptoms and survival and there are several clinical trials open in the UK that includes immunotherapy, which helps the immune system to fight the cancer.
5. What compensation is available?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to make a compensation claim. This will compensate you for any reduced quality of life, past and future losses including earnings; care that family members are providing; additional purchases relating to your disease (eg. mobility aids); any travel expenses to hospital or GP appointments and other associated costs. You may also be able to make a claim if a loved one you were financially dependent on has passed away.
At Novum Law, we are experts in asbestos disease compensation claims. We can even help if you don’t know how you were exposed to asbestos or when it happened. We can also advise on any state benefits you may be entitled to and assist you in claiming these benefits.
Based in Cardiff, the specialist team will be happy to help you make a claim. We can also help on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis which means there is no financial risk to you. Call: 029 2097 2070 or email pgower@novumlaw.com.