Dr Mick Peake
Action Mesothelioma Day
Consultant Respiratory Physician
and
Friday 27th February 2009
National Clinical Lead for Lung
Mesothelioma is a Cancer caused by
Cancer
Asbestos
(including mesothelioma),
NHS Improvement.
centre to develop better treatments for mesothelioma
“It is a great cause for concern that there has been so little
research even though over the next 40 years about 60,000 people will
research into mesothelioma both in the UK and in many
develop mesothelioma from past exposure to asbestos. To date, almost
other parts of the world. This situation has to be reversed.
every penny spent on mesothelioma research comes from donations.
With the emergence of new evidence regarding
treatments and the potential for earlier diagnosis
ACTION We Call on the UK Government to Fund ACTION
combined with the current potential for international
an Asbestos Disease Research C entre
collaboration, it is essential that the UK governments and
research funders find ways of supporting the development
Action Mesothelioma Day Event
of high quality research capacity in this country. In 2007
Guildhall Square
the Department of Health published its ‘National
Portsmouth
Mesothelioma Framework’. We quote from that document;
12.30 pm
Friday 27th February 2009
“Research can lead to improved quality of care for
patients. Research funding for mesothelioma-related
Release of Sponsored Doves in Memory of All
studies has been limited in the past and research
those who have died from Mesothelioma
spend in this area is low in comparison to some other
cancer types. Research is vital if advances are to be
Followed By
made in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease
and more international trials may need to be
1pm Public Meeting
considered in order to recruit higher numbers of
patients.”
South Reception - Portsmouth Guildhall
Call For Government Funded Mesothelioma
Research
HAMPSHIRE ASBESTOS SUPPORT & AWARENESS GROUP
Speakers Dr. Sudheer Alapati & Mike Hancock MP
Tel: Lynne 07940 328637 or Diane 07792 543426
Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP & Rosie Peters
Call for government funding for mesothelioma research
Mr. John G Edwards
International data for the highest incident rates (30 per million) for
Consultant Thoracic Surgeon Northern General
mesothelioma are reported in mesothelioma registries in Australia
Hospital Sheffield
and the UK.
and
Chair of the British Mesothelioma Interest Group.
The Commonwwealth Government of Australia has given $6.2
million to fund the National Research Centre for Asbestos
Patients and their carers do not want the
Related Diseases. A further $1 million has been donated by the
compensation – they want their lives back.
research centre host, the University of Western Australia.
Industry does not want to pay the compensation. Government
does not want to pay the benefits. Researchers are desperate
The UK government gives very little. Instead, the burden falls on
for funds to develop life saving treatments – mesothelioma is
mesothelioma sufferers, their families and friends throughout the
far and away the least researched of the top twenty cancers in
UK who contribute hundreds of thousands of pounds each year
the UK. Funding for a UK National Centre for Asbestos
to mesothelioma research.
Related Disease is a priority to satisfy all parties. Such a
virtual institution would encourage collaboration between
A further 60,000 mesothelioma deaths are predicted by the year
current and future researchers and stimulate trans national
2035. Thousands of people might have their lives prolonged or
research to generate future treatments to prolong and save
even saved and have their level of suffering improved if research
lives.”
resulted in better treatment and care for mesothelioma.
Liz Darlison
Financially, the government and insurers have a vested interest in
Consultant Nurse
successful research, which could reduce compensation costs,
the National Mesothelioma Resource Centre,
which are $85 billion in Europe alone. Government funding for a
University Hospitals of Leicester. Vice chair of
dedicated mesothelioma research centre would provide an
the National Cancer Forum for Nurses.
incentive for the insurance industry to give additional funding.
“Having witnessed first hand the unquestionable benefits of
There are compelling moral, ethical and financial reasons for
having a properly funded national research programme, as
providing funding specifically for mesothelioma research. It is
they have in Australia, I whole heartedly implore MPs to
unacceptable for the UK, the fourth richest country in the world,
support this initiative. For too long mesothelioma victims’ plight
to condemn 60,000 people to unnecessary suffering from an
has been overlooked and under researched.
occupational disease for want of relatively modest investment in
Mesothelioma is a global public health disaster, wealthy
medical research which could save many lives.
countries with a high incidence of the disease must work
together to improve outcomes. We have the networks
Established networks would support International collaboration
available for us to collaborate internationally but need
and a mesothelioma research centre in the UK would make a
government support and secured funding to enable us to
huge contribution to international research.
move forward.”