The national cancer charity Mesothelioma UK has opened new dedicated offices at The Sidings, Birstall, Leicester. The opening was conducted by Lady Gretton, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire. The charity was previously based at Glenfield Hospital and is a specialist resource centre for mesothelioma, which is heavily associated with asbestos.
Lady Gretton said she was “delighted” to open the headquarters, having closely followed the work being carried out by the charity for a number of years and describing its services as “vital” for enhancing the quality of care available. She said she was looking forward to meeting the people who have been involved in opening the centre.
Raising asbestos and mesothelioma awareness
The charity’s director Liz Darlison said the new offices would allow the charity to grow and provide an enhanced standard of support and information. The charity offers a free helpline and a benefits advisor service. Fund-raising and administration are to be carried out at the centre, which is designed to ensure the entire UK community are informed about treatment options and that help can easily be accessed by mesothelioma sufferers.
Mick George Ltd, a local construction business, donated £1,000 to the charity. The company has formed a robust relationship over recent months, with the construction company also being closely related to the asbestos industry. The company’s Environmental Director Steven Summerfield said they decided to partner with the charity after admiring the work they did to prevent, treat and cure asbestos-related disease.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
Around 2,500 people are affected by mesothelioma each year in the UK, the highest level in the world. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium, with the vast majority of cases having a devastating impact on the chest and lungs. Many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing symptoms such as loss of appetite, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, weight loss, excessive coughing and lethargy.
By minimising your exposure to asbestos, you can limit the chances of developing mesothelioma. However, any amount of exposure can put you at risk of contracting the disease. Of all asbestos-related diseases, mesothelioma has the longest latest period, with the average length of time between exposure and diagnosing being between 35 to 40 years. Asbestos was used in thousands of different products before people became aware of its dangers.
Could you be affected by asbestos?
Many building materials and household products were developed with asbestos, and there’s a chance some of these products could still be present in your home, particularly if it was built prior to the 1980s. Asbestos won’t normally cause problems until it is disturbed. When it is broken, fibres are released into the air. However, as the fibres are so small they can go undetected.
Acorn Analytical Services is a multi-disciplined asbestos consultancy designed to meet a whole host of statutory compliance and asbestos management needs. We can come to your assistance whether you’re seeking asbestos surveys, asbestos removal, asbestos air testing or UKATA asbestos awareness training.
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