New medical research, which has isolated a gene that appears to protect against lung cancer, has been welcomed by Asbestos campaigners as a potentially massive breakthrough.
Mesothelioma, which is caused by ingesting asbestos dust, has resulted in the deaths of many former manual workers in the UK. Around 2000 people every year are diagnosed with the disease, resulting in a great cost to the NHS and terrible suffering for patients, who have to undergo chemotherapy and other cancer battling medical procedures.
Breakthrough offers hope