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Barrow in Furness asbestos cancer figures shock

Barrow in Furness has the highest death rate in England and Wales for terminal asbestos cancer.

The fatality rate for mesothelioma, cancer of the lung wall, was more than three times the national average.

This is linked to asbestos exposure while working in the engineering and ship building industries.

The disease, which almost exclusively affects workers who have come into contact with asbestos, was recorded as the cause of 45 deaths in the area – the equivalent to 8.4 deaths in 100,000 people. The national average during the same period was 2.5.

Figures obtained by campaign group the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). APIL said many workers are often unable to pursue a claim for damages because they are unable to trace their former employers.

The group has called on the government to provide support for retired workers to bring damages claims against their former employers.

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