Asbestos Justice welcomes recent developments in the detection of lung cancer which could have positive affects on those who have been exposed to asbestos in the past.
Many things of course can cause lung cancer, the most common of which is smoking but the condition can also be caused as a result of experiencing heavy asbestos exposure and at Asbestos Justice we have dealt with many successful asbestos related lung cancer claims.
A study, the largest clinical research study, is investigating the use of blood tests to assist in the early detection of lung cancer and involved the recruitment of 10,000 people from the Tayside and Greater Glasgow and Clyde areas of Scotland.
Dr Stuart Schembri, leading the “Early Lung Cancer Detection Study” at Dundee University stated :-
“Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer, with 5,000 people in Scotland dying from the disease every year. There are often few symptoms until the cancer has been growing for a long time and perhaps spread. So of every ten people found to have lung cancer, nine are unfortunately inoperable.”
At Asbestos Justice, we are currently dealing with an asbestos related lung cancer claim for a client who has undergone invasive surgery to combat the condition. Thankfully, his surgery is thought to have been a success and he is now in remission.
It is hoped that studies such as this could promote early detection of lung cancer, resulting in non-invasive treatment being available to sufferers, therefore limiting their pain and suffering and improving long term prognosis.
An example of just how successful the research could be is 58 year old, Shirley Dolan who provided a blood sample for part of a new blood test known as “EarlyCDT-lung”, which is at the centre of the new research study. Samples are taken and sent to America for review in an attempt to uncover the presence of cancer markers in the form of proteins produced as part of the body’s natural defences. She was later diagnosed with the most common form of cancer during May of 2015.
Shirley had no idea that a tumour had formed in her lung when agreeing to take part in the study. Had her cancer not been detected, her chances of survival would have diminished significantly with the passing of time. After undergoing surgery during July of 2015 to remove the detected tumour she stated:-
“Without the test, we would never have known, and with lung cancer, by the time people feel symptoms, it is usually too late.”
Thanks to the study, Shirley now hopes to be back at work by October and it is thought that hundreds of other lung cancer sufferers will benefit from the ground-breaking developments.
If you require assistance in pursuing a claim for asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma compensation please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.