Archive for January, 2008
UK Predicts Asbestos Related Cancers will Peak in 2015
In early 2007, a prominent medical researcher in the United Kingdom stated that 30,000 Britons had already died from mesothelomia, a lethal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Professor Julian Peto, who holds the Cancer Research UK Chair of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, made this observation in order to supply a context for the following startling observation.
He estimates that about 200,000 additional British citizens could be stricken with mesothelomia due to asbestos exposure in the 1960s and 1970s. He estimates that there will be an additional 90,000 deaths from the disease in the UK. The professor commented that mesothelomia is different from any other industry-related cancer affliction in the world.
100 Years Later, Asbestos Still in Use
More than a century after asbestos was first identified as a health hazard; it is still being used in consumer products according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). The organization presented its findings at the National Press Club in November of 2007, citing many consumer products that still contain asbestos as a material component.
Asbestos has been identified as a high impact world health issue because of its direct link to mesothelioma, a lethal form of cancer that thousands of people have developed as a result of exposure to asbestos. During much of the 20th century asbestos was a primary component of hundreds of products and used prominently in the construction of new buildings. With a long latency period, mesothelioma impacted many thousands of workers after they had retired. Subsequent lawsuits have established asbestos manufacturers as liable for this and other related illnesses.
Australian Crusader Leaves Legacy of Affordable Mesothelioma Treatment
An Australian victim of mesothelioma won a political war that has guaranteed affordable treatment of the disease. As everywhere, the cases of mesothelioma in Australia are on the rise, year after year. More and more victims are coming forward and until recently, have found that treatment for the disease in its advanced stages was prohibitively expensive.
The drug Alimta has proven to be effective in extending the lives of mesothelioma patients and to make them more comfortable while living with the affliction. On the open market, however, cost to many consumers was $20,000 for six treatments. Half of Australia’s citizens living in certain areas of the country were covered through government subsidy – and half were not.
Mesothelioma Treatment Licensed by Strativa Pharmaceuticals
Drug research and development firm Alphacell has licensed the U.S. distribution rights for its drug Onconase to Strativa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Par Pharmaceuticals. Onconase is currently in Phase III trials as a treatment for inoperable malignant cases of mesothelioma. The drug has been given fast track status by the FDA as there is nothing else like it currently on the market and mesothelioma is a cancer that develops rapidly.
Toy Recall Due To Asbestos
Just days before Christmas, Planet Toys has issued a recall for their CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit. Tests of the toy have found that it possibly contains asbestos – a deadly material that is banned from U.S. manufacturing.
Between the lead paint scare from China and the numerous other toy issues in 2007, many parents have turned to buying their kids non-traditional toys this year such as DVDs, video game consoles, and clothing. Many parents feel that with the high number of recalls, they have no idea what’s safe and what isn’t when it comes to buying toys for their children.
