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In May 2024, Patrick Malone received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, a rare and incurable cancer. The news profoundly altered every part of his life. “It was heartbreaking and very scary because you realise fairly quickly that it’s terminal and the prognosis is suspect,” he reflected. Nearly two years later, Patrick credits a recently introduced support service for mesothelioma patients as crucial in helping him and his family manage the challenges the diagnosis presents.
Thanks to immunotherapy treatment, the 66-year-old’s cancer has diminished and is now stable, a development he described as something that “buys me a lot of time.” Although mesothelioma is generally linked to asbestos exposure, early access to specialized nursing care and coordinated support can significantly improve the quality of life for patients. Patrick mentioned that this kind of dedicated service was “a big plus point at the time when there really wasn’t any plus points.” He believes many people might not fully appreciate the value of such services unless they or someone close to them faces a similar diagnosis.
Patrick, a retired civil servant, said he never worked directly with asbestos but suspects he was exposed during his career. He recalled a particular government building where he frequently accessed a basement that was “really dusty and really murky” with stored files. This building was eventually closed after asbestos was discovered, and Patrick assumes he inhaled asbestos dust multiple times while working there. He has filed a compensation claim but finds it difficult to accept that his job “most likely” caused his cancer.
Specialist nurses like Carol Johnston and Stephanie Todd now provide vital regional support across Northern Ireland. Carol, one of only two mesothelioma clinical nurse specialists in the region, explained how the long latency period of mesothelioma—often 30 to 40 years between exposure and diagnosis—can be difficult for patients to process. The service, launched in September 2024, offers patients tailored clinical advice, emotional support, and practical guidance, ranging from treatment explanations to help with forms and travel insurance. Since its inception, more than 60 referrals have been made, providing an “open door” for reassurance and care to people like Patrick. The nurses emphasize palliative care from the outset, aiming to enhance patients’ quality of life as much as possible despite the terminal nature of the disease. Family members, such as Niamh Rodgers, whose father died from mesothelioma, value this specialized care highly, recognizing it as an advancement that would have brought pride to their loved ones
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