"It’s mass murder"

A telling quote from a relative of someone killed by asbestos, summing up what many felt at the recent Mesothelioma Summit, called by the British Lung Foundation. Over 100 attended the Summit, held at the BMJ Headquarters on 7^th March. It brought together many medical experts to report on the latest developments in treatments for this asbestos cancer, which still has no cure. The Foundation invited and involved all the UK victim groups, giving the day a campaigning edge. Also, the trade union movement was represented by Hugh Robertson, from the TUC, talking about the new Asbestos Regulations.

Dr Helen Clayson, speaking about End of Life Care and her work with mesothelioma patients described many as "very stoic" about their cancer. She told us however that relatives were not. She believed that for the majority there was "no closure, and persisting fury and outrage".

Consultant Robin Rudd told the meeting that the prognosis for any diagnosis of mesothelioma remains dismal. Despite some new developments in radical surgery, which is only suitable for a select number of cases, and in chemotherapy, many talked about medical approaches, for example gene therapy, are along way from clinical application. In his opinion the new drug Alimpta, which has received a lot of publicity, is an agent with "useful activity" but not a quantum leap as far as treatments go. With the new chemotherapies mesotheliomas do shrink, with considerable relief of symptoms, but sadly only for a few months. His colleague Dr Jeremy Steele, was more upbeat about new developments in the laboratory but very angry about the lack of government funding for medical research in this field. Other countries do a lot better.

The day was not all talk. The British Lung Foundation will be launching a Mesothelioma Charter to campaign for more medical resources; and instituting a Mesothelioma awareness day, probably in February.

Meanwhile the event has spawned a number of similar meetings around the country and, not to be left out, our developing asbestos victim support group in Barking and Dagenham will be holding a public meeting on 18^th May in Barking Town Hall. The main speaker will be Dr Greg Deleuil, of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia. We have a lot to learn from Australia. There the rate of asbestos disease is higher than the UK, and there the insurance industry has been particularly vicious in trying to stop compensation claims. But in Australia the labour movement and asbestos groups have been very militant with some success in resisting these attacks.

The drop-in sessions in Barking have seen a steady stream of asbestos sufferers and families seeking legal advice and support. The incidence of mesothelioma in Inner London has increased by more than 200% since the early 1980s, and in Outer London by more than 240% in the same period. Barking and Dagenham is at the centre of the epidemic. This meeting aims to establish closer links with local GPs and other health professionals throughout the East End of London and Essex. We would appreciate a good attendance to show support from all asbestos campaigners in London Region.