Go Blue for Meso
Every year, the campaign group Action Meso use Action Mesothelioma Day, this year on 7th July, to raise awareness of a totally preventable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Go Blue for Meso is all about lighting up your home, or contacting a prominent landmark in your local area to do the same. As I will be away for the day, I can't do this at home, where KSH Safety Services is based, so we have changed our logo blue instead.
The campaign wants to put a spotlight on mesothelioma, a disease caused by exposure to asbestos that deserves more attention because asbestos hasn’t gone away:
It’s still in around 85% of schools, 90% of hospitals and many other public and private buildings. There are teachers, doctors and nurses dying of mesothelioma due to their workplace exposure.
More people die from exposure to asbestos than die in road traffic accidents per year.
Over 2,700 people per year are diagnosed with mesothelioma and it is a type of cancer that is entirely preventable.
Fewer than 10% of people with mesothelioma survive beyond 3 years in the UK
The majority die within 6 months of diagnosis – 60% within a year.
The act of lighting up your home or focal point in a village, town or city is a way to raise awareness, to remember loved ones who have sadly died of mesothelioma and to acknowledge those living with the disease.
Lets show the world that there is no more time to waste in raising awareness and taking action against this tough cancer.
Go Blue for Meso will therefore be using Action Mesothelioma Day on July 7, 2023, to light up buildings around the UK, as it’s about time the disease gets the attention it deserves.
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It affects the pleural lining, most commonly around the lungs (PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA) and abdomen (PERITONEAL). A small number of asbestos fibres can cause this cancer to develop, although this usually occurs many year later. The time between exposure and development of mesothelioma is known as the latency period and can range between 10 and 70 years.
Mesothelioma has affected people of all ages from as young as 14 to 90 and upwards. It can affect men and women in all professions and none. Some people have been exposed to asbestos through a family member or someone they have been in close contact with who has worked with asbestos. Approximately 2,700 are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the UK, the highest number in Europe.
There are 3 main subtypes of mesothelioma, epithelioid – the most common and usually slower progressing form, sarcomatoid – a more aggressive form of mesothelioma, and biphasic – a combination of the epithelioid and sarcomatoid.
Asbestos is found in many private and public buildings including homes, schools and hospitals. It is likely to be found in buildings built before 1999. It was used worldwide for decades for its highly effective fire-resistant properties.
If you work in a trade, there is a strong likelihood you will be exposed to asbestos at some point in your career. You should have training in asbestos awareness. KSH Safety Services can help with this. We have two online courses available at www.kshsafetyonline.com that can help.
Source: Action Meso