high numbers of cancer deaths at OHs work..
Discussion
Just thought id post this as it seems lately that death is never far away from our lives.
OH works at a local hospital doing admin (been there 12 years) and never a month goes by when she doesn't come home and say another one of her colleagues has been diagnosed with some form of cancer (usually terminal)
Now these are people in 30s 40s and 50s. When I asked her roughly how many in the last 2 years she said between 10 and 12. (this is just people she knows at work - there are many other departments!)
This seems worrying to me and ludicrously high.
The management have acknowledged that there are high levels of asbestos in the building but say its contained and safe.
Been thinking about mentioning it to local press but not sure if that's over the top?
OH works at a local hospital doing admin (been there 12 years) and never a month goes by when she doesn't come home and say another one of her colleagues has been diagnosed with some form of cancer (usually terminal)
Now these are people in 30s 40s and 50s. When I asked her roughly how many in the last 2 years she said between 10 and 12. (this is just people she knows at work - there are many other departments!)
This seems worrying to me and ludicrously high.
The management have acknowledged that there are high levels of asbestos in the building but say its contained and safe.
Been thinking about mentioning it to local press but not sure if that's over the top?
I think before panicking and/or running to the local paper you need to be completely clear on the facts.
Define 'ludicrously high'. 1 in 3 of us will develop some form of cancer at some point in our lives, according to the cancer charities. Is the rate at this work place significantly higher than that?
Are the cancers of the kind which are generally associated with asbestos? Is there also a higher than normal rate of other potentially asbestos-related conditions (asbestosis, emphysema, etc.)?
Asbestos cancer (Mesothelioma) is pretty rare.
Define 'ludicrously high'. 1 in 3 of us will develop some form of cancer at some point in our lives, according to the cancer charities. Is the rate at this work place significantly higher than that?
Are the cancers of the kind which are generally associated with asbestos? Is there also a higher than normal rate of other potentially asbestos-related conditions (asbestosis, emphysema, etc.)?
Asbestos cancer (Mesothelioma) is pretty rare.
1974nc said:
I'm not sure what types as they seem to be various. Maybe I'm thinking too much about it but I'm concerned for her.
Your concern should surely prompt research rather than a rush to 'expose' the local authority in the press, shouldn't it?http://www.asbestos.com/cancer/ might be a start, as would talking to your GP or actually doing some comparison between cancer rates at this workplace and the national average, if you can get the figures.
Unless your OH's department is above radiology and there are holes in the ceiling its pretty unlikely it's caused by anything there. If there was anything to be concerned about it's likely occy health or similar will have discovered it well before you and will have covered their arses.
If your serious, go and take a survey, produce some Standardised morbidity/mortality ratios and report back
If your serious, go and take a survey, produce some Standardised morbidity/mortality ratios and report back
I would ask her to work somewhere else but she isn't very confident with work. She enjoys the job and has paid into a pension since she started(hoping that she gets to claim it)
Maybe I'm worrying too much but if something comes out in future years then no doubt everyone will say 'well, you should have done something about it'
Maybe I'm worrying too much but if something comes out in future years then no doubt everyone will say 'well, you should have done something about it'
1974nc said:
I would ask her to work somewhere else but she isn't very confident with work. She enjoys the job and has paid into a pension since she started(hoping that she gets to claim it)
Maybe I'm worrying too much but if something comes out in future years then no doubt everyone will say 'well, you should have done something about it'
So do some proper research, for goodness' sake! It's not as if two options are go to the press in a panic or do nothing at all, is it?Maybe I'm worrying too much but if something comes out in future years then no doubt everyone will say 'well, you should have done something about it'
My Mum died from cancer in 2006. She worked as a Teacher, then Deputy Head in the same school for 20 years. During her time there a huge number of staff suffered from cancer. If the old stat says that 1 in 3 will get some form at some stage, I would estimate at this school 2 in 3 at least got it. Not many of her old colleague s still alive now!..we always said it was something in the fabric of the building like asbestos. Unfortunately (or worryingly, if you are hugely cynical) the building was torn down a few years ago to make way for a new site along the road. It was a depressing old red brick place anyway. Maybe. It was just the stress etc of being a committed teacher in a sink school that got them in the end!..come to think of it the bad/uncommitted teachers all seem to still be in rude health!..
Edited by billzeebub on Sunday 28th October 06:25
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