John Baron MP addresses launch of British Lung Foundation’s ‘Mesobank’

John with Chris Knighton

MP welcomes Mesothelioma initiative

John Baron MP recently attended in Parliament a reception organised by the British Lung Foundation (BLF). The reception was organised to launch the BLF’s ‘Mesobank’, which will enable scientists to speed up their research and improve our knowledge of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lungs, usually associated with exposure to asbestos fibres, which were regularly used as a building material up until the 1990s. The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world, with about 2,400 cases diagnosed per year. With few exceptions, mesothelioma is regarded as a terminal condition.

The Mesobank is a centralised bank containing tissue and blood samples from mesothelioma suffers, the first such bank in Europe. It will enable researchers to access tissue samples which will aid their clinical projects and speed up their work, helping us better understand and treat the disease.

John said,

“I very much support the Mesobank initiative, generously funded by The British Lung Foundation and the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. It is a great step forward for our scientists. The resulting research will help drive forward earlier diagnosis, which is key if we are to reduce the number of cancer deaths.”

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said,

“Mesothelioma is a particularly cruel form of cancer that often leaves sufferers just months to live after diagnosis. We hope that the Mesobank will help the UK become a world leader in mesothelioma research and, more importantly, help improve both the length and quality of life for people affected by it”.