Mesothelioma Survival Rates About 40 percent of patients with
mesothelioma survive the first year after diagnosis. That survival rate
depends on many factors, including age, cancer stage, cancer type, race
and gender. Long-term survivors attribute their success to treatment
from a mesothelioma specialist, alternative medicine and nutritional
changes. Average mesothelioma survival rates Mesothelioma claimed nearly
30,000 American lives between 1999 and 2010. About 40 percent of U.S.
patients live to the one year mark. By the second year, about 20 percent
of patients are still alive.
The argument to ban asbestos in Canada is growing stronger after
government officials admitted using the carcinogen in the renovation and
construction of federal buildings.
Members of the nation’s trade union association also say the importation
of asbestos-containing materials, specifically asbestos cement pipes
installed in government buildings, is on the rise.
"That they're continuing to use a known carcinogen in the workplace is
just unbelievable," said Laura Lozanski, occupational health and safety
officer at the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
Government officials with Public Services and Procurement and the Canada
Review Agency acknowledged the use of asbestos in federal buildings —
even as the government is undergoing asbestos abatement projects — after
the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news agency confirmed the
findings.
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer primarily caused by workplace exposure
to asbestos. The news of the government’s asbestos use is especially
alarming because the number of new mesothelioma cases in Canada is on
the rise.
Statistics Canada, a federal economic, social and census database, shows
there were 560 new mesothelioma cases in 2012 (the latest figures) — a
67 percent increase from 2000.
Canadian Government Downplays Asbestos Dangers
More than 40 countries, including all members of the European Union,
have banned asbestos. But its use in Canada is not forbidden. The U.S.
government also hasn’t banned asbestos despite repeated efforts.
Canadian government officials say asbestos can be used safely under
controlled conditions.
"Its use is limited to non-friable forms (not easily broken into smaller
pieces) and is strictly controlled under the Asbestos Products
Regulations," Canada Revenue Agency spokesman Philippe Brideau told CBC.
But Lozanski refutes Brideau’s claim.
"This continued putting forward that it's non-friable, and it's safe, is
complete nonsense and should not be used by people who should know
better," Lozanski said.
A 2015 report in the Globe and Mail shows Canada imported more than
$100 million worth of asbestos brake pads and linings in the past decade
and more than $250 million worth of raw asbestos or asbestos products
during that time.
Canada also exports 96 percent of the mined mineral to Asian countries.
Unions, Health Advocates Push to Ban Asbestos
Canada Public Health Association Executive Director Ian Culbert doesn’t
believe “asbestos is a legal product for the building trades anymore."
"You'd think the federal government would be the last landlord to be
using that kind of a product," Culbert said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates more than 125 million
people around the world are exposed to asbestos in the workplace
annually.
WHO leaders recommend:
Banning all types of asbestos.
Replacing the mineral with safer products.
Taking steps to prevent exposure during abatement.
Improving early diagnosis and treatment.
Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, the nation’s
trade union association, hopes the government “will do a serious
review, and hopefully the labor minister will consider bringing in a
unilateral ban on all forms of asbestos products that are having an
impact on human health in this country."
As a minor step, unions want the Canadian government to create a public
registry that identifies public buildings containing asbestos products.
Ban Asbestos Canada, a coalition of health, environmental and labor
groups, sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking
to ban the use, export and import of asbestos-containing products.
"This practice needs to be ceased immediately," said Denis St-Jean, a
national safety officer for the Public Service Alliance of Canada
(PSAC). PSAC is part of Ban Asbestos Canada. “We're also asking that the
use of any asbestos-containing material be withdrawn from any federally
funded infrastructure projects from the federal government."
Some Canadian Government Officials Support Asbestos Ban
New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Sheri Benson asked lawmakers
to put an end to asbestos use in new construction.
She says this is an opportunity for the federal government to play a
leadership role and announce future projects will no longer use
asbestos.
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Judy Foote said the
government "will undertake a review to make sure that asbestos is not a
product that's used on an on-going basis."
Maryann Mihychuk, federal minister of employment, workforce development
and labor said Canada is “monitoring the situation.”
“We're considering the ban, but we're not there yet.”
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