Mesothelioma News

A retired pipe fitter in the UK who claimed he most likely came into contact with asbestos dust throughout his entire career recently died of malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, the Bristol Evening Post reports.

According to the news source, 86-year-old Geoffrey Rich was diagnosed with the deadly disease just five days before he passed away on January 29. Often, diseases such as malignant mesothelioma remain undiagnosed for years as the symptoms may not manifest themselves until decades after initial asbestos exposure.

In a statement written shortly before he died, Rich said that he first came into contact with the carcinogenic mineral in 1947 when he began working at the Imperial Smelting Corporation. He claimed that he continued working with the company until 1984.

"It was an unpleasant and dusty working environment – I was probably exposed to asbestos every day of my working life," Rich said.

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer and asbestosis. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 107,000 people die each year around the world as a result of asbestos-related diseases.