While there is a bottleneck, seeking surgery and other treatments should still be a priority. The first step to this is ensuring you have the funds needed to cover medical bills; a compensation settlement can offer sufferers a lifeline.
Rising number of female sufferers
Asbestos does not discern between male and female, man and woman. However, Australia’s gendered division of labour is so entrenched that it was mainly men who were exposed to asbestos as men were the ones expected to do hard labour.
Yet, reports have shown that women continue to represent a sizable segment of those suffering with asbestos-related diseases. Take, for instance, Galy O’Connor, who recently talked to WA Today about her work and fight against cancer.
During her teenage years, Galy worked in a factory where she mixed paint. She later discovered that the factory was filled with asbestos. Her experiences reflect many who now form a new generation of Australian women suffering from asbestos-related cancer.
“Six weeks ago I had my regular CT Scan – the result was not good. After five years battling peritoneal mesothelioma … the cysts are now reappearing on top of my liver and will spread if I do not have an operation,” she said.
“My surgeon, Professor David Morris, says I need the surgery but he can’t operate because of long waiting lists. To do so the government needs to fund more operating hours and theatre time.”
Professionals seeking changes in government policy
As New South Wales Surgeon Professor Morris is the only doctor capable of doing the surgery, some have taken matters into their own hands. One of the most visible approaches was creating a petition on Change.org.
However, it has not helped that CEO of the NSW Cancer Institute said in 2013 that he and the government were happy with the current amount of surgeries.
“There is a group of people who are clearly disease-free and doing well a long time down the track [post surgery] when carefully selected,” Professor Currow said. “But the issue is you have to select the right people because this is one of the most invasive procedures you can do to another human being and come out alive the other end.”
If you would like to know more about how you can obtain a settlement to cover your medical bills, talk to the experts in compensation law today.