June 28, 2023
Friday, July 7 is Action Mesothelioma Day in the United Kingdom. Organizations throughout the country will host events to raise awareness about mesothelioma and remember those who were lost to the disease. Tragically, Great Britain has one of the highest per capita rates of mesothelioma in the world.
ADAO is unable to attend the Action Mesothelioma Day activities in person this year, however, we proudly support all mesothelioma warriors who fight for
awareness, prevention, and a cure.
No matter where you are in the world, asbestos kills — it’s the most common occupational cancer killer, claiming more than 200,000 lives a year worldwide, according to the Global Health Data Exchange. In the United Kingdom and the United States alone, over 55,000 people died from mesothelioma, lung, ovarian, laryngeal cancers, and asbestosis in 2017.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data released:
- There were about 2,523 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain per year from 2012-2019. A comparable figure to the 2,544 fatalities in 2020. The latest projections suggest that there will continue to be between 2,000 and 2,500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline.
- Around two-thirds of annual deaths now occur in those aged over 75 years. Annual deaths in this age group continue to increase while deaths below age 65 are now decreasing.
- There were 2,085 male deaths in 2020, a slight reduction compared with recent years, and 459 female deaths, a slight increase from the annual average of 2012-2019.
- There were 1,910 new cases of mesothelioma assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2020 of which 280 were female. This compares with 2,025 new cases in 2019, of which 240 were female.
- Men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively are now among those most at risk of mesothelioma.
At several tandem events across the country, participants will release doves and balloons as a poignant symbol of the countless individuals and families who have been affected by mesothelioma. There will also be a number of organizations that will put on educational and memorial events throughout the United Kingdom.
Join ADAO in showing your support for the UK’s annual Action Mesothelioma Day by sharing information about the day with your social networks. I will be lighting a candle for my late husband, Alan, and many others who have courageously shared their mesothelioma battle with the world in an effort to end this man-made disaster.
Linda