Turner Freeman attends ADRI education day
The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) held a Pleural Mesothelioma Education Day at Revesby Workers Club on 8 May 2017. Fiona Seaton, Ann-Maree Pascoli and Meg Lamb attended from Turner Freeman Lawyers.
The Pleural Mesothelioma Education Day was arranged so that patients, families and health professionals could hear the latest on treatment, symptom management and living with dignity with this disease.
Professor Nico van Zandwijk, past Director of ADRI, discussed the relationship between asbestos dust exposure and pleural mesothelioma in Australia and Professor Ken Takahashi, current director of ADRI provided an outline of the global picture regarding this disease. Associate Professor Glen Reid, senior scientist at ADRI, outlined the work carried out researching mesothelioma. ADRI’s work has the laid the foundations for current clinical trials for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
Associate Professor Brian McCaughan, cardiothoracic surgeon, talked about the approach to surgery for patients with pleural mesothelioma from symptom control to trimodality therapy. Dr Anthony Linton, oncologist, discussed chemotherapy options and second and third line treatments. Dr Steven Kao, oncologist from the Chris O’Brien Life House, described the various clinical trials now being carried out for developing treatment options for mesothelioma patients.
Amongst other speakers Chris Koutoulas from the Dust Diseases Authority described how the Dust Diseases Authority can assist mesothelioma patients and Dr Judith Lacey, supportive and integrative oncology specialist, discussed living with mesothelioma and how to be well supported.
The Pleural Mesothelioma Education Day was organised by Jocelyn Mclean, ADRI’s mesothelioma support coordinator. Jocelyn is able to answer questions patients with mesothelioma and their families may have about symptoms, treatment options and living with mesothelioma. Jocelyn Mclean can be contacted on 1300 237 400 or at joceyln.mclean@sydney.edu.au.
The Pleural Mesothelioma Education Day was great opportunity for patients, families and health professionals to hear the latest on treatment, symptom management and living with mesothelioma. We hope it will be the first of many.
