Throughout the country of Australia during the final week of November, many citizens committed to learning more about the terrible illnesses that can be caused by exposure to asbestos. The Australian government honored those who had died from asbestos-related illnesses, and took measures to increase public awareness about mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos exposure.
Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers, even in small amounts, has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma generally affects under 3,000 Americans each year, as well as thousands more overseas. It is incurable at the present time. Many mesothelioma patients are told that they may not live more than 2 years after being diagnosed by their physician.
The World Health Organization recently released statistics which showed that Australia and Britain have the highest rate of asbestos-related cancers in the world. In Australia alone, about 500 men and 100 women contract asbestos-related cancers every year, and it has been estimated that by 2020, Australia will have about 13,000 cases of mesothelioma and similar ailments each year.
The Australian Government official Kevin Rudd recently announced that loans valued at $320 million would be injected into bankrupt asbestos-compensation funds run by former asbestos magnate James Hardie.
The government also plans to donate $5 million towards the new Bernie Banton Centre, a research facility that will study asbestos-related ailments. It is hoped that this asbestos-dedicated research center might be able to find a cure for mesothelioma.
