A group of doctors based in London have released the results of a study conducted to analyze the value of chemotherapy for patients with mesothelioma.  Specifically Richard Stephens and Professor Mahesh Parmar, Medical Research Council, Clinical Trials Unit, London, United Kingdom conducted the Cancer Research UK-funded, randomized trial involving 409 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma from 76 medical centers in the United Kingdom and 2 in Australia.

The patients were divided into three groups: one group received “active symptom control” and no other treatment.  The other two groups underwent two forms of chemotherapy plus the active symptom control.  At the end of one year, 29% of the patients receiving no chemotherapy were alive.  One of the chemotherapy groups had 32% of its members still surviving, while the other had 37% of its members still alive.

Analysis of the quality of life in each of the groups, including physical functioning, pain, shortness of breath, and overall health status, were similar.  The physicians concluded that there was little statistical evidence of improved survival rates when comparing patients who had no chemotherapy to those who had received the two particular types of chemotherapy applied in the study.

When the analysis was completed sometime after the one-year mark, When the analysis was performed, 393 (96%) of the patients had died. 132 of these came from the ASC only group, 132 came from one chemotherapy  group, and 129 came from the other.

MV Freewinds is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Church of Scientology under the name ‘Majestic Cruise Lines’.  The ship has been used for decades as a traveling educational and social center for Scientology members and potential members.  Thousands of people have been aboard the MV Freewinds after paying to attend Scientology courses, training services and functions.

As of April 28 the ship has been sealed and quarantined in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, following the discovery of significant amounts of blue asbestos in the ship’s structure. A statement from the ship’s captain has revealed previous incidents where blue asbestos was released into the ship’s ventilation system. The Curacao Drydock Company was contracted to conduct refurbishment and repairs on the MV Freewinds, but has ceased work due to the risk of exposure to the asbestos.

Samples taken from the paneling last week by inspectors showed that they contained significant amounts of blue asbestos.  Seven years ago, allegations were made that Scientologists aboard the ship were being put at risk of asbestos exposure.

An affidavit filed in 2001 by Lawrence Woodcraft, a former Scientologist and trained architect, claims that Woodcraft encountered the blue asbestos while working on the ship in 1987, and promptly informed Scientology leaders.  Apparently, his concerns were ignored.