Paul Rowen MP takes Action against Mesothelioma

Date published: 02 March 2007

Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, joined the British Lung Foundation and other campaigners at the House of Commons on Tuesday to welcome a new Department of Health initiative aimed at improving services for people with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. 

The new initiative comes a year after the launch of the British Lung Foundation’s Mesothelioma Charter, which calls for mesothelioma to be made a national priority.  Mr Rowen signed an Early Day Motion at the event welcoming the Department of Health’s Mesothelioma Framework and calling for increased awareness of the disease.

Mr Rowen said: "I am delighted that the British Lung Foundation’s Action Mesothelioma Campaign is helping to bring about real improvements for people with this cruel disease and continues to campaign for more research into the disease and more awareness about the dangers of asbestos. This is a nationwide campaign, but it is especially relevant to Rochdale and the many families have suffered as a result of their connection to the Turner’s site. 

The British Lung Foundation’s survey shows that there is a dangerously low lack of awareness amongst the British public that contact with asbestos causes cancer, I think awareness in Rochdale is probably higher than most places but it is important that we keep repeating the message.  The disease kills one person every five hours in the UK so it is vital that the public are aware of the potential dangers of asbestos in their homes, when undertaking DIY projects.  I will continue to support the Action Mesothelioma Charter and the issues it raises."

Around 2,000 people died of mesothelioma in the UK in 2005. The UK is facing an epidemic of the cancer in 2011 - 2015 as people exposed to asbestos in the 1960s and 1970s are diagnosed with the disease. (It takes 40 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to become apparent following exposure to asbestos).  Recent cases show that builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians are now the largest high-risk groups.  They are likely to come across asbestos in the buildings where they work.  There is as yet no cure for mesothelioma and the British Lung Foundation is calling for more research into the disease.

More than a third (37%) of the British public is still unaware that contact with asbestos can cause cancer and only half (55%) are aware that their boiler cupboard could contain the deadly building material, according to a new YouGov survey published by the British Lung Foundation to mark Action Mesothelioma Day (27 February).  

The British Lung Foundation commissioned the survey to find out how much people really knew about the hazards of asbestos in the home. The results show that while almost everyone (98%) has heard of asbestos, nearly two thirds (65%) have never heard of mesothelioma, the fatal cancer of the lining of the lung caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. It also reveals that there is still widespread ignorance about the health hazards of asbestos and where it might be found in the home, despite the fact that anyone who comes into contact with it could be at risk.  

Representatives from the British Lung Foundation, Mesothelioma UK, the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund and the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund attended the event.

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "We are very pleased that Paul Rowen MP is supporting the Action Mesothelioma campaign.  Much has been achieved in the past year but there is a long way to go. We need more research into this deadly cancer, better treatments to give sufferers more hope, and more public awareness of the continuing dangers of contact with asbestos."

Anyone who wants more information about the British Lung Foundation, or Action Mesothelioma should visit www.lunguk.org or call the BLF Helpline on 08458 50 50 20.