AMD delegates
This year’s conference was particularly poignant as the Mayor of Gateshead, Maureen Chaplin , who was set to open the conference had herself died from Mesothelioma on 11th February 2009. The Deputy Mayor Joe Mitchinson called for a one minute silence in memory of the Maureen and other victims who have lost their lives to the devastating disease.
Councillor Maureen Chaplin sadly died from mesothelioma 11th February 2009
Tim Peel
The Conference was chaired by Dr Tim Peel, Consultant in General and Respiratory medicine at North Tyneside General Hospital and MKMRF Patron.
The Mesothelioma Epidemic—a Health Disaster
Dr Rob Allcock, Consultant Chest Physician at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.
Dr Rob Allcock began his talk by giving a history of Asbestos saying that there were large deposits discovered in Canada and South Africa in the 1850’s and in 1964 there was a compelling study linking Asbestos with Mesothelioma, 1973 saw the peak of imports into Britain and in 1985 the importation of asbestos was banned in Britain. It is estimated that deaths from Mesothelioma will peak in 2025 with a terrifying 72,000 further deaths in the US and 65-90,000 in the UK, Dr Allcock described this rise in deaths from Mesothelioma as an Epidemic.
Alternative Treatment in Mesothelioma
Debbie Brewer, a Mesothelioma Sufferer
Debbie Brewer first presented with symptoms in 1994 and was diagnosed with Mesothelioma on Monday 13th November 2006. In January 2008 after the tumour had grown Debbie discovered a Professor Vogl From Frankfurt, Germany who uses a process called chemoemoblization. To contact Professor Vogl email: T.Vogl@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Debbie had her first treatment in April 2008 and by June the tumour had shrunk and in December 2008 after 5 treatments she had 53% shrinkage. Other patients have had the same positive results and Debbie is calling for trials to be conducted in Britain so that others can benefit from this revolutionary treatment. In addition to this Debbie also undertook part in ‘mistletoe therapy’ in the UK at The Park Attwood Clinic http://www.parkattwood.org/pages/mistletoe.html
Jan’s Journey
Jan Eggerton, a Mesothelioma Sufferer
Jan Eggerton told of her ‘Mesothelioma Journey’ beginning with a diagnosis of mesothelioma 8 years ago at the age of 44yrs. After a course of Alimta in 2006 and a 12 month remission Jan suffered chest pains with no evidence of Tumour growth and had her Gall Bladder removed with no release of the pain, it was then discovered that her left kidney was encroached and she subsequently began a further course of Alimta in September 2007. Jan had researched Radio Frequency Abolition performed by Professor Lees in USA, after being refused RFA she was offered Cyro-abolation which is a procedure whereby the tumour is injected with ice to freeze growth. In August 2008 Jan flew to Los Angeles for cyro-abolation of her kidney November 2008 for the procedure to be performed to freeze the tumour in her lung with good results. On the 15th January 2009 Dr John Edwards performed surgery to remove Jan’s left lung, diaphragm and pericardium.
Jan’s will to survive is an inspiration; she is calling on further research into Mesothelioma and for Crybolation to be allowed in this country.
Government Legacy
Mary Hepton, widow of Ron
In March 2008 Mary’s husband Ron died from Mesothelioma. Mary and their 3 children were shocked when they discovered how little was given by the Government for research into Mesothelioma and decided to set up a Snowdrop Fund, which was launched at AMD 2008 by Chris Knighton, and have so far raised £2,500 in Ron’s name.
Mary is encouraging sufferers and their families to also set up Snowdrop Funds and is calling on the Government to increase the amount of money given to research into Mesothelioma.
National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease
Dave Anderson MP, MKMRF Patron
Dave Anderson MP told delegates how he is backing the campaign for the Government to properly fund for a National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease similar as to that in Australia. He asked everyone present to contact their MP’s to put pressure on the Government for better treatment and care for sufferers of Asbestos related diseases and to help fund research into Mesothelioma.
MKMRF Research Study Update
Dr Albi Ryan, Northern Centre for Cancer Research
Dr Albi Ryan explained the research he has undertaken to evaluate the role of the folate receptor alpha (FRa) and methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) in determining the response of malignant pleural Mesothelioma to treatment with pemetrexed containing chemotherapy (Alimta). His research on testing 100 samples has proven that FRa does not seem to be productive in response and that MTAP seems to be the way to go. Future work will be to complete the FRa and MTAP evaluation.
Research was funded by MKMRF and CRUK.
Role of the Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist
Doreen Hall, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist at North Tyneside Primary Trust
Doreen Hall spoke on the role that Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists play from before diagnosis to after death care for relatives concentrating on improving quality of life and the effective management of symptoms.
Mesothelioma Compensation Update
Ian McFall, Head of Asbestos Department at Thompsons Solicitors, MKMRF Patron
Ian McFall spoke of three aspects of Law which affect Mesothelioma sufferers and their families.
The Turner and Newall Trust was set up after T&N went into administration in 2001 so that payments could be made to asbestos victims but at a reduced rate however these payments had to be repaid to the state if a claim was made from the Department of Works and Pensions. On February 13th 2009 James Purnell Secretary of State for DWP said that workers of T&N should receive full compensation with no repayment to DWP.
The Trigger Case High Court decision in November 2008 decided that Employers’ Liability insurers must still pay any compensation awarded if they were the insurers at the time of exposure to asbestos. However the insurers have appealed, this appeal is to be heard later this year.
An Employers Liability Insurance Bureau is called for which would pay compensation to all regardless of whether a company was insured or not. This would create an income stream for the Government which could be invested in Medical Research for a cure for Mesothelioma.
Ian McFall said that “Determined Action Brings Results”. He ended his talk by stating that Thompsons Solicitors will donate a part of their profits from compensation claims to NCARD.
Asbestos in Schools
David Brierley, Health and Safety Officer
David Brierley said that the safest place a child can be is on a school trip. We all hear via the media if there is an accident during a school trip but we do not get to know information about asbestos in schools. From 1945 to 1980 systems buildings were put up, they were cheap and long lasting. Since 1980 243 Teachers have died from Mesothelioma, this number excludes Nursery Nurses; Classroom Assistants; Caretakers; Cleaners; Secretaries and PUPILS. In a survey conducted 88.9% of schools contain asbestos.
“We simply do not know what the risk is and that is entirely unsatisfactory”.
The Need for Palliative care in Mesothelioma
Dr Helen Clayson Medical Director, Hospice of St Mary of Furness, Cumbria
Dr Clayson spoke of the need for end of life care in Mesothelioma and management of distressing symptoms such as pain and breathlessness needs to be addressed. Many sufferers are stoic about the illness and try to cope.
Deputy Mayor Joe Mitchinson pictured with Chris Knighton and MKMRF Patron Dave Anderson MP
Andrea Bayles and her father Bob
Andrea Bayles and her father Bob, a Mesothelioma sufferer himself, donated a cheque for £1,800 raised by family, friends towards the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. Many thanks to all.
