| By Doug Larkin
 Special to CSMS Magazine
Recent Meeting of World Health Organization Research Group Reported that All Commercial Asbestos Fibers Cause Deadly Disease and Cited Important New Findings for Women.
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the leading organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today applauded the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)’s reconfirmation this week that all commercial asbestos fibers – including chrysotile, the most commercially used form of asbestos – cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. In addition, the IARC newly confirmed that there is sufficient evidence that asbestos causes ovarian cancer and reconfirmed asbestos causes laryngeal cancer. IARC, part of the World Health Organization (WHO), makes up the leading international cancer research agency, with some of the world’s foremost cancer experts participating in a number of specialized research groups.
Dr. Richard Lemen, Assistant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service (Ret.) and ADAO Science Advisory Co-Chairman, who attended the IARC meeting said, “The confirmation by IARC – the world’s leading cancer research agency – that all forms of asbestos, including its most commonly used form of asbestos chrysotile, cause lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and mesothelioma, leave no doubt that the prevailing medical evidence is irrefutable as to asbestos’ carcinogenicity. The new findings that there is sufficient evidence that asbestos also causes ovarian cancer will have far reaching implications to all women exposed to asbestos and begins a new chapter in the prevention of asbestos-related cancers.” In 1976, Dr. Lemen served on the first working group that confirmed all forms of asbestos caused lung cancer and mesothelioma.
“As ADAO prepares for its fifth annual National Asbestos Awareness Conference to raise awareness and prevent asbestos exposure, we applaud the timely findings of the IARC,” said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. “The more knowledge we have about asbestos dangers, the more power we have to effectively fight this deadly mineral and someday end its lethal abilities.”
ADAO will hold its fifth annual Asbestos Awareness Conference and Remembrance Brunch at Marriott Manhattan Beach on March 27-29 in Manhattan Beach, California in recognition of National Asbestos Awareness Week. More information is available at www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Note: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, while raising public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is an independent volunteer organization. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Media Contact:
Doug Larkin
Director of Communications
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Phone: (202) 391-1546
[email protected]
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