A WA cancer researcher and his team are close to developing a vaccine to try and shrink cancerous tumours.
University of Western Australia’s Bruce Robinson from the university’s school of medicine and pharmacology said his team was mainly focusing on the asbestos cancer mesothelioma and lung cancers.
Professor Robinson who is director of the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases said the vaccine aimed to “wake up” the body’s” immune system so that it would attack and shrink a tumour.
He said he was confident human trials would be rolled out within a year or so – and the National Health and medical Research Council was so impressed with the potential of the immunotherapy strategy and other research being pursued by the team that it had given a $2.5 million Centres of Research Excellence grant to advance them.
Meanwhile old Yanchep is just one of the many areas in Western Australia where asbestos was used in fencing and buildings and residents should make themselves familiar with the dangers and legal requirements if they decide to remove asbestos materials.
The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia WA website has information for residents including do it yourself and domestic removal.
If you want a list of companies, which provide assistance in the asbestos removal process for homeowners email info@asbestosinfo.com.au and request a listing information pack.
The pack also provides links for organisations who are able to advise on or arrange safe removal of asbestos in your home.
The society’s website said removal considerations include the scope or volume of asbestos to be removed, type of asbestos containing materials involved, compliance with removal and disposal regulations and your role and responsibilities in the process.
Residents can contact the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia on 9344 4077.
