Last week a young woman from Britian, age 28, passed away due to peritoneal mesothelioma, an asbestos cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. She was believed to be the UK’s youngest mesothelioma patient.
According to a story in the Daily Mail, Leigh Carlisle grew up in Manchester and was diagnosed 2 short years ago. Unfortunately, her symptoms were originally mistaken for more common illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Doctors were, of course, shocked to learn that she was sick with peritoneal mesothelioma due to asbestos.
Yes, as you’ve read here before, mesothelioma typically is found in older people due to its long latency period (20-50 years in most cases). Carlisle’s asbestos exposure is believed to have come from her school or a factory nearby the home where she group up.
This story is a reminder that mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases do not discriminate. The asbestos cancer knows no borders. No age limits.
Carlisle’s family is requesting that donations in her memory be made to the Oldham Cancer Support Centre:
Oldham Cancer Support Centre
Failsworth Primary Care Centre
Ashton Road West
Failsworth
M35 0AD
Tel: 0161 906 2940
