Asbestos Research Group
About the Asbestos Research Group
Several Queensland doctors, concerned that Australia has the highest incidence of mesothelioma disease in the world, have joined with the Wesley Research Institute to form the Asbestos Research Group.
Unique in Queensland, the Group seeks to facilitate research and raise awareness of asbestosis and asbestosis-related diseases both to the medical fraternity and the general community, with the aims of improving treatment and enhancing the quality of life of those affected.
The Group began work in June 2007 and plans to publish findings describing asbestosis-related conditions in detail, in particular the specific problems faced by an asbestosis patient.
Another early objective of the Group is the establishment of baseline data from which to embark on further research into the condition, including cell biology, serology and treatment strategies.
Karen Banton, widow of mesothelioma victim and campaigner Bernie Banton, officially launched the Group on Wednesday 11 June 2008.
The Wesley Research Institute (WRI) administers the Asbestos Research Group. The aims of the Group fit well with the unique nature of the WRI, which seeks immediate improvements to patient care and easing of pain and suffering through medical research.
WRI wishes to thank the Slater and Gordon Asbestos Research Trust for providing financial support for the Group’s work.
About asbestos-related disease
Studies have suggested that between the years of 2000 and 2050, more than 27,000 Australians will die of mesothelioma.
It is likely that there will be a peak of asbestos-related cancers and asbestosis in the next 20 years from citizens doing renovations on homes, which are still full of asbestos sheeting. Such innocent activities as the odd weekend bathroom renovation, the pulling down of an old fence or the demolition of a carport or garage may lead to a tragic and premature death from mesothelioma years later, long after a move to another house and with the renovations long since forgotten.
These conditions are not just those of tradesmen but of children who grow to adulthood, of white-collar workers, of mothers and wives who washed work clothes and of neighbours who just happened to live in the wrong street at the wrong time.
There are cancers resulting from asbestos exposure, and there are other asbestos-related diseases.
There are two main types of cancer that result from asbestos exposure - mesothelioma either of the chest or the lining of the abdominal cavity before the peritoneum, and lung cancer. There are also other less common cancers that can result from asbestos exposure such as oesophageal cancer. It can also cause chronic obstructive airways disease.
Other asbestos-related diseases can be grouped into two types - the non-malignant asbestos pleural plaques and asbestosis. The pleura is the thin lining which covers the lung and chest wall. Pleural plaques and pleural thickening occur in this lining of the chest wall whereas asbestosis is a form of fibrosis or scarring of the lung substance. All these conditions can cause the lungs and chest wall to become more rigid, or as they say in thoracic medicine, less compliant. Asbestosis does this too but it also causes the lungs to lose their function of taking up oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide from our bodies as we breathe in and out.
How you can help
Your donation to the Asbestos Research Group to help fund medical research that offers hope to sufferers of asbestos-related diseases would be appreciated. All donations over $2 are completely tax deductible and will be acknowledged by an official receipt.
