Posted on June 29, 2023
ADAO had the privilege of attending the recent International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig) Conference in France, which was an incredible experience. Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to participate in enlightening lectures and interactive workshops that significantly enhanced my understanding of mesothelioma. Additionally, I was honored to speak in a session titled “Focusing on Patients’ Experience: Improving Mesothelioma Patients and Relatives Management,” where I engaged in fruitful discussions with fellow attendees. I would like to share some noteworthy moments and highlights from this remarkable conference.
One of the prominent features of the convention was the display of numerous posters covering crucial topics related to mesothelioma. These informative exhibits explored a wide range of subjects, including clinical trials, treatments, epidemiology, and the impact of asbestos. The posters effectively conveyed key findings and advancements in these areas, and provided valuable visual aids.
In addition to the discussions on new research and treatments, iMig also emphasized the importance of a global asbestos ban. As an iMig Associative Partner, we were once again about to connect and share with Andeva (National Association for the Defense of Asbestos Victims, France), ABEVA (Belgian Association of Asbestos Victims), and other important organizations.
Eric Jonckheere, president of ABEVA, educated iMig delegates by sharing his personal story about Eternit’s horrific use of asbestos in Belgium and around the world. Read more about Eric in his latest book, “Asbestos: My War with the Devil’s Dust.”
One of the standout moments of the conference was the captivating keynote speech by Dr. Arthur Frank, a long-standing partner of ADAO. His presentation on “The Global Mesothelioma Epidemic and Control Strategies in 2023” was truly remarkable. Dr. Frank’s expertise and insights shed light on the current state of the global mesothelioma crisis and offered valuable strategies for its management and prevention. It was an incredible opportunity to hear from such a distinguished expert in the field.
Dr. Steven Markowitz, another esteemed partner of ADAO, conducted an exceptional workshop that delved into the “Failure of annual low-dose CT scanning to detect early malignant mesothelioma in an occupational cohort.” His workshop provided valuable insights into the challenges and limitations associated with using annual low-dose CT scanning for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma within a specific occupational cohort. The workshop was highly informative and highlighted the importance of exploring alternative diagnostic approaches for this aggressive disease.
ADAO looks forward to participating in iMig’s next conference as we continue collaborating for the prevention and cure for mesothelioma.
Linda Reinstein