Former bank clerk receives devastating mesothelioma diagnosis
It’s sad that we still hear all too familiar stories of people being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Certainly, here at Trident Asbestos Solutions, we hope to do our bit to help reduce the numbers of such devastating diagnoses in the present and for years to come with our asbestos services, such as the removal of asbestos from construction sites.
One of the latest stories circulating is that of Janet Towler, a former bank clerk from Exeter. Janet was diagnosed with mesothelioma in May of this year, understandably leaving her family extremely upset.
Mesothelioma has claimed too many lives
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lungs or stomach lining, depending on how the asbestos fibres make it into the body.
What distinguishes mesothelioma from other forms of cancer is that it can take years – often decades – for the sufferer to show any detectable symptoms. By then, it is generally too late for much to be done, aside from helping the sufferer to maintain as high a quality of life as possible.
Such a tendency for mesothelioma symptoms to only surface at a very late stage, together with greater awareness in recent times of the dangers of asbestos, helps to explain why so many cases – including Janet’s – have appeared in the news in the last few years.
When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, their career history is often investigated so that it can be established where and when they came into contact with the asbestos fibres.
For Janet, it may be her time working as a bank clerk from 1978 to 1982 that was the most likely period of exposure, as she recalled that a major refurbishment took place, adding: “I remember the enormous clouds of dust as I performed my duties”.
A heartbreaking search for answers
Janet and her family are now working with a specialist asbestos disease solicitor to gain some insight into how she developed the disease.
Before her diagnosis – which came about following a persistent cough – Janet was “fit and well and thoroughly enjoying my retirement and spending time with my family.”
The family’s solicitor, Andrew Stinchcombe, stated: “Unfortunately, thousands of people die each year as a result of just going about their everyday lives, working to make a living and getting exposed to asbestos dust.”
This is a sad truth that we know all too well here at Trident Asbestos Solutions, and we would always recommend that you contact us if you have any further queries regarding the removal of asbestos or any of our other acclaimed asbestos services.