The Avon Mesothelioma Foundation (AMF) is a charity that has been established to help support patients with Mesothelioma and aid research into this devastating disease. Mesothelioma incidence continues to increase with over 1500 people being diagnosed each year in the UK.
This is set to rise to over 2500 new cases each year in 10 years time. This cancer is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure.
The AMF trustees will review applications for research grants and funding applications for patient equipment etc four times each year and aims to support top quality research likely to lead to improved treatment and care for patients with this disease.
Since 2004 North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) has had a specialised pleural service which not only serves the North Bristol catchment area (population 540 000) but we are also the specialist regional multidisciplinary team for all Mesothelioma cases in Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire cancer network ensuring that all cases are discussed to ensure accuracy of diagnosis and to streamling treatment plans.
The pleural service fast tracts investigations as an outpatient where ever possible, including pleural ultrasound, medical thoracoscopy and insertion of indwelling pleural catheters enabling patients to stay at home.
A twice weekly pleural clinic staffed by a team of doctors , nurse specialists, research doctor and nurse allowing for specialism in one clinic. In additional patients who have urgent needs such as pleural effusions can be seen by a next day service.