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Mark Hunter MP & the Cheadle Liberal Democrats
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Local MP calls for better treatment for people with asbestos related lung cancer
March 5, 2009 3:34 PM
Mark supporting the British Lung Foundation's motion to improve care for people with asbestos related lung cancer
Cheadle MP, Mark Hunter joined the British Lung Foundation and others at the House of Commons recently to raise awareness of the asbestos-related lung cancer mesothelioma and call for better standards of care and treatment for people affected by the disease for the fourth Action Mesothelioma Day campaign.
Mark Hunter showed his support by signing a special Parliamentary Motion, which appeals for more patients to be given guidance about end of life care and more opportunities to take part in medical trials. These calls follow the results of a survey of Mesothelioma patients and their carers conducted by the British Lung Foundation. The survey found that two fifths (40 %) of patients and carers had not received support in relation to the end of life care, and almost three fifths (59 %) were not offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial, despite the lack of treatments options available.
Mark Hunter said: "The British lung Foundation's survey shows that the Government must work to improve support offered to patients and their families. Many are not receiving enough information about end of life care and support during this difficult time. The Government should be doing more to ensure that more patients have the chance to try new treatments for this cruel cancer.
"The numbers of cases of Mesothelioma are rising every year with now over 2,000 people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma every year in the UK - more than five people every day. The Government therefore needs to invest in more research into this deadly cancer and improved standards of treatment and care to those affected."
Mesothelioma develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos, and sadly most will die within a year of being diagnosed with only 1 in 10 (10%) alive 3 years later. Every year the death rate increases which has led experts to believe that we are heading towards an epidemic of asbestos related illness. The rising number of deaths from the condition is linked to the use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid 1980s.
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