TAKING action against an asbestos-related cancer was South West Devon MP Gary Streeter (pictured right). He joined the British Lung Foundation and other campaigners at the House of Commons to welcome a new Department of Health initiative aimed at improving services for people with Mesothelioma. The initiative comes a year after the launch of the foundation's Mesothelioma Charter, which calls for the disease to be made a national priority by the Cancer Tsar. Mr Streeter signed an Early Day Motion at the event, welcoming the Department of Health's Mesothelioma Framework and calling for increased awareness of the disease. Results from a YouGov survey published by the British Lung Foundation show that while almost everyone has heard of asbestos, almost two thirds have never heard of Mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the lining of the lung, caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. 'I am delighted that the British Lung Foundation's Action Mesothelioma Campaign is helping to bring about real improvements for people with this cruel disease and continues to campaign for more research into the disease and more awareness about the dangers of asbestos,' said Mr Streeter. 'The British Lung Foundation's survey shows that there is a dangerously low lack of awareness amongst the British public that contact with asbestos causes cancer. 'The disease kills one person every five hours in the UK so it is vital that the public are aware of the potential of asbestos in their homes, when undertaking DIY projects.
