Have you been exposed to asbestos? If so, you should know about the new rapid-assessment and management clinic at the Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

At the clinic, doctors assess people with past exposure to asbestos who are experiencing symptoms (see below) or who were recently diagnosed with pleural effusion (fluid around the lung). The assessment tests include screening for

• asbestosis
• lung cancer
• mesothelioma, a dangerous cancer usually affecting membrane in the chest or abdomen.

Instead of waiting weeks to complete their assessment, patients can get all the important tests done the same day, decreasing their wait time.

How do you get an assessment?

A family doctor or occupational health clinic usually refers patients to the rapid-assessment clinic. You are usually referred if you have past exposure to asbestos, as well as one or both of the following:

• 1. You have one or more symptoms that could be caused by an asbestos-related disease. Examples of such symptoms include
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• unexplained weight loss
• fatigue.
• 2. You have been diagnosed with pleural effusion.

If you meet the criteria, see your doctor or an occupational health clinic right away. Some doctors may not know about the rapid-assessment clinic, so be sure to inform yours about it.

To contact the rapid assessment and management clinic yourself, call 1-877-586-4911 or email lung911@uhn.on.ca.

Early detection

In addition to the clinic, the Mesothelioma Research Program pursues several other projects.

The program’s early-detection project offers people free CT scans (also known as “CAT scans”) to screen for evidence of mesothelioma and lung cancer. You qualify for the early detection study if you

• are 30 years old or older
• were exposed to asbestos at least 20 years ago or have had a chest x-ray indicating pleural plaques
• have no history of cancer.

If you qualify and would like to be screened, contact the early detection project at 416-340-5686 or email brenda.osullivan@uhn.on.ca.

Research and hope

Until recently, the prognosis for mesothelioma patients was bleak. The Mesothelioma Research Program, however, has made considerable progress in treating patients with combination therapy involving chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. As well, researchers are studying how some immune cells can change the effect of chemotherapy, and are investigating whether special viruses can kill cancer cells in some patients.

The researchers hope that their successes will help build support for a new centre for the prevention, treatment, management, and study of asbestos-related diseases.

Supporters of the Mesothelioma Research Program have included the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council, the Insulators’ Union Local 95, the Ontario Pipe Trades Council, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Toronto, and many others. To learn how you, your company, or your union can support the program, call 416-946-2138 or email christina.lebesis@pmhf.ca.