Asbestos Support West Midlands and Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team are organising a conference for all those affected by mesothelioma.

It takes place on Monday 11 April, at BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham, from 10.30am.

The aim of the day is to give patients, their carers and all those affected by mesothelioma the opportunity to meet and share experiences.

There will also be a review of the care and support available for mesothelioma patients across the Midlands.

Professionals will be giving talks on a range of issues, including current and future treatment, welfare benefits, support and access to justice.

Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer that can be caused by exposure to one asbestos fibre. Asbestos was widely used as a building, insulating and fireproof material from the 1950s to the 1980s and many workers were exposed to it in their employment.

In the past, employers failed to protect their workers from the dangers of asbestos by, for example, providing protective clothing, facemasks, effective extraction equipment, or ventilation.

Common places where asbestos can be found included pipe and boiler lagging in power stations and other premises, roofing sheets on buildings, as well as in gutters and pipes, cement products, train carriage insulation, brake and clutch linings, gas fires and ovens, and floor and ceiling tiles.

It means workers who worked in lagging, constructions, shipyards and the building trade, such as roofers, joiners, painters and electricians, are particularly at risk.

Due to the long latency period, it can be 30 to 40 years before someone exposed to asbestos develops symptoms, although not everyone exposed will suffer from an asbestos related illness.

For more information, or to attend the conference, please contact Asbestos Support West Midlands on 0121 678 8853. Registration is free, but places are limited.

For further information regarding personal injury claims, please visit our page.

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