A study looking at the occupations of men and women and the development of mesothelioma and lung cancer (MALCS)

This study is looking at possible links between types of jobs and the risk of getting lung cancer and mesothelioma.

We know from research that most cases of mesothelioma and some cases of lung cancer are caused by people coming into contact with asbestos. Asbestos is an insulating material that has been used widely in the past, in certain jobs, for example in the building industry. The use of asbestos is now more closely controlled.

Asbestos is made of tiny fibres that can be breathed in if you come into contact with it. The fibres can irritate the cells in the lungs or the lining of the lungs and cause damage. This can lead to cancer developing.

The aim of this research is to identify which jobs have a high risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. It is also trying to find out if younger people are still being exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos in their workplace. The researchers will send questionnaires to people with lung cancer or mesothelioma and people without cancer.

The results of this research will also be important for protecting people in developing countries. In some countries, contact with asbestos is not controlled in any way and it is still used in some industries.

Recruitment

Start 01/01/2001

End 31/12/2015

Phase

Other

Who can enter

The entry criteria for this study depend on whether you are male or female.

You can enter this study if you are male AND

You have been diagnosed with mesothelioma OR you have been diagnosed with primary lung cancer and have had an operation to remove your lung cancer
You were born after 1st January 1940

You can enter this study if you are female AND

You have been diagnosed with mesothelioma
You were born after 1st January 1925

To be part of the control group of healthy people, you need to be invited to take part. You cannot volunteer to be part of this study.

Trial design

This study is not part of a clinical trial. It is not investigating a cancer treatment. Your medical care will not be affected whether you take part in this study or not.

The researchers will collect information from men with mesothelioma or lung cancer, and women with mesothelioma. They will also collect information from people who do not have cancer. The people without cancer will act as the control group for this study. The results of this group can then be compared to the results of the group who have lung cancer or mesothelioma.

If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, your cancer specialist (consultant) or lung specialist nurse may ask you to take part in this study. If you agree, they will pass your details on to the co-ordinators of this study. They will then contact you if they would like you to take part. The co-ordinators of the study will not be able to contact everyone who is asked to take part.

The co-ordinators will recruit the control group from another research study called the British Breast Cancer Study. They will send letters to women taking part in this study, asking them to forward information about the MALCS study to their brothers and sisters. This information includes an invitation to join the control group for the MALCS study.

If you take part in this study, the researchers will ask about buildings you have lived in and jobs you have had since you left school. If you are female, they will ask about your parent or partner’s occupation. To find this out they will ask you to fill in a postal questionnaire. They will not ask for any medical or financial information.

With your permission, the researchers would also like to look at the sample of your cancer that was kept by the hospital when you had your surgery or biopsy.

Hospital visits

Taking part in this study will not involve any extra visits to your hospital. If you are receiving treatment for cancer, this will not affect your care.