Action Mesothelioma Day 2025
Action Mesothelioma Day takes place on the first Friday of July every year. This year, we raise awareness and remember those affected by mesothelioma on Friday 4th July 2025.
Action Mesothelioma Day is a day for raising awareness about mesothelioma but is also an opportunity to remember those who have been affected by the disease. It is shocking to think that in the last 10 years alone, over 25,000 people have suffered from mesothelioma and yet it is still not a disease that many people have heard of. Sadly, mesothelioma has affected and continues to affect so many people and their families, which is why it is important to support Action Mesothelioma Day in any way you can.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer that can develop in various parts of the body:
- Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung – typical symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, extreme tiredness, a cough, loss of appetite and weight loss;
- Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the stomach – typical symptoms include stomach complaints, nausea or sickness and diarrhea or constipation;
- Pericardial mesothelioma forms around the lining of the heart – typical symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations and an irregular heartbeat;
- Testicular mesothelioma affects the liming of the tunica vaginalis – typical symptoms include scrotal swelling, a solid scrotal mass, hydrocele (fluid retention around the testicle), pain in the testes or groin area and symptoms similar to an inguinal hernia.
Due to symptoms being common for many other illnesses, mesothelioma of any type can be difficult for medical professionals to diagnose. Therefore, if you believe you have been exposed to asbestos dust, it is important to seek medical advice if you suffer from the above symptoms which do not go away in a short period of time. You should specifically tell your doctor that you have suffered exposure to asbestos dust in the past.
At present, there is no cure for mesothelioma, although there are treatment options available which are intended to provide a better quality of life and/or prolong life expectancy.
Please note that not everyone who has been exposed to asbestos dust will develop mesothelioma. However, for those people who do develop the condition, the period between exposure to asbestos dust and first symptoms of the condition is very long and typically ranges from 10 to 65 years, with no upper limit in time.
Asbestos in the UK
Blue, white and brown asbestos was used widely in the UK across many industries for a number of decades. In particular, asbestos materials such as lagging and sheeting were extensively used by tradesmen during the 1960s and 1970s.
The majority of mesothelioma sufferers have developed the condition as a result of exposure to asbestos dust in their previous work. Many of our mesothelioma clients had “traditional” jobs of carpenters, plumbers, electricians, laggers, pipe fitters, boiler makers, labourers and ship repairers. However, we are seeing more and more clients who were exposed to asbestos dust when working in offices and shops or those working as teachers or nurses.
The environments in which our clients worked are wide and varied. We see many mesothelioma sufferers who have worked in power stations, factories, on the railways, at the docks, in offices and in schools. Mesothelioma is a condition that doesn’t discriminate – it can affect anyone irrelevant of their gender, age or race.
In addition to workplace exposure to asbestos dust, we are seeing more and more clients whose mesothelioma is linked to the use of talcum powder or make-up products containing talcum powder. The link between mesothelioma and talcum powder use is very real and if particular criteria is met, it is possible to obtain compensation for talcum powder use which has caused mesothelioma to develop.
Action Mesothelioma Day
Asbestos support groups around the country are hosting events to raise awareness about mesothelioma and to remember those who have passed away from the condition. If you are able to attend your local event, please do so. If you cannot attend in person, you are encouraged to light a candle to remember a loved one or to wear blue in recognition of those who have lost their life to mesothelioma.
Asbestos support groups play a crucial role in providing assistance and support after a diagnosis of mesothelioma. They can assist mesothelioma sufferers and their families with everyday practical matters, as well as raise awareness about this devastating cancer by organising events throughout the year, including on Action Mesothelioma Day.
Regrettably mesothelioma is a condition which is not going away. We must continue to work together to raise awareness about the condition, ensure funding is secured for vital medical research and support the asbestos support groups who do an amazing job every day in supporting mesothelioma sufferers and their families.
Contact Us
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above and believe you may have been exposed to asbestos dust, however long ago that exposure may have been and wherever it may have happened, we urge you to seek medical advice without delay.
If there is any suggestion at all from your medical professional that you may have an asbestos related condition, please seek legal advice from us. We will explore every possible avenue with you to pursue a compensation claim and we act on a “no win, no fee” basis with no hidden charges and no deductions for legal fees. We will also ensure you are not missing out on any DWP benefits that you may be entitled to because of the mesothelioma condition.