Mesothelioma research and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone. People have had to stay at home, holidays and events across the world have been cancelled. Businesses have had to adapt, working from home where possible and making it safe for employees to return to work now. Here at Asbestos Justice we have been extremely fortunate, all we need to do our work is a computer, the internet and a phone so we have all be able to work safely from home. We hope that the change has been seamless and we have continued to provide the same high level of service our clients have come to expect from us.

Mesothelioma patients shielding

Following the government guidelines, anyone with a serious respiratory condition was advised to stay at home and shield where possible. This means that anyone with an asbestos condition, particularly mesothelioma, would be affected. Not only were their daily lives changed, but some will have had issues with medical appointments and treatment being delayed.

Diagnosis delays

It is not only those already diagnosed that will have experienced problems, anyone already suffering with breathing problems but not yet diagnosed will likely have experienced cancelled doctors’ appointments and difficulty getting lung function tests, x-rays and scans that are needed to make a diagnosis.

Medical research affected

Many fear that due to COVID-19, medical research will be adversely affected and in the short-term, it will be. Scientists have seen a shortage of research funds and may have had to prioritise research into the COVID-19 over cancer research. However, a professor of cancer medicine at Oxford University thinks there may be a positive change resulting from this, in the long run, with alternative research methods being used, for example, using phone apps and telemedicine.

Telemedicine

Some researchers have been able to carry on with their valuable work, without having to put their participants at risk. They have been using telemedicine to keep in touch with patients, collecting data from the safety of their home. This could be a much more efficient way to collect data in the future and could result in a wider range of patients being able to take part in studies, not being limited by their location or ability to travel. We have certainly seen some benefits to working remotely and it is likely that our working life will never fully go back to the ‘pre-lockdown’ normal. Wherever we are working from, we are always here to help so if you require assistance in pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma or other asbestos disease then please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.

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