Kezia Dugdale leads talks on fighting mesothelioma

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale is hosting a meeting to develop a real plan'' to fight a rare cancer. Campaigners and medical experts will take part in the round-table discussion at the Scottish Parliament on tackling mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma rates are expected to rise sharply over the next few years due to the heavy use of asbestos in Scottish industries between the 1940s to the mid-1970s, with a recent Cancer Research UK study warning people who worked as carpenters, plumbers and mechanics are at increased risk of the disease.

More than 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year.

Ms Dugdale has been campaigning for action after being contacted by constituent Julie Roberts, who recently lost both her father and uncle to mesothelioma and has been working to raise awareness of the disease.

The MSP said: I was incredibly moved by Julie's story of how her family was affected by mesothelioma. This is a condition that is only going to become more prevalent in the coming years.

The link to asbestos means it has left certain demographics more susceptible to the disease, such as those in many working-class communities who worked in the construction and manufacturing industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

That is why I have brought together many different experts and campaigners with a common interest in tackling this disease. We have individuals and groups who have campaigned for years on this issue, medical professionals with a wealth of experience and third sector organisations ready to support the improvement of research, raising awareness and the level of care of those people affected.

I'm looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Scottish Parliament so we can come up with a real plan to fight mesothelioma and continue to fight so that cancer stops being a deprivation disease in Scotland.''

• Scottish News