Mesothelioma on a "completely different scale" from other cancers

A leading scientist has estimated that 90,000 people will die in the UK from the cancer mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos and a further 90,000 from other asbestos-related lung diseases. Professor Julian Peto, the chairman of Cancer Research UK and Professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, called the use of Asbestos in Britain an extraordinary industrial error.

Professor Peto said "Mesothelioma is on a completely different scale from any other industrial cancer disease in the world."

Professor Peto added that "Mesothelioma has already killed twice as many people as cervical cancer and that those particularly at risk are people born in the 1940s who worked as Carpenters, laggers, shipyard workers, metal workers and electricians and other areas of construction."

About the mesothelioma lung cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects most of the body's internal organs. One of the cruellest forms of Cancer, mesothelioma is incurable and invariably fatal and has an incubation period of anywhere between 20 and 50 years.

It is estimated that there are approximately 2000 deaths from mesothelioma a year currently in the UK and this number has doubled since 1992 and is set to rise. Despite the use of asbestos being banned in the UK in 1999 previous exposure to the substance means this number has not yet reached its maximum which is estimated at 2,450 people dying every year from the disease between 2011 and 2015.

Leading UK mesothelioma solicitor

Adrian Budgen the Head of the Industrial Diseases Group at Irwin Mitchell said "Over 30,000 people have died from mesothelioma and we have seen a year on year increase in the number of people developing this terrible disease. What is of great concern is the growing number of people, not usually associated with heavy exposure to asbestos, who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. These include teachers, hospital staff and family members exposed to asbestos dust on their loved one's work clothes."

Prof Peto said there was significant evidence that women and children who lived with men exposed to asbestos in the 1960s had a chance of contracting the disease.

If you or someone you know has been effected by mesothelioma, or an asbestos related disease, our experts can help. Fill in our online claims form for free legal advice.