WA’s unique Asbestos Review Program celebrates its 5000th participant 02 July 2021Thirty years ago, in response to increasing concern over the health of thousands of WA workers and families after exposure to asbestos dust, a world-unique program was established in WA.
Last year, the Asbestos Review Program celebrated its 30th anniversary;this year, it celebrates its5000th participant.
The Asbestos Review Program (ARP) looks after people who have worked with or been exposed to asbestos, seeing nearly 2000 people per year and is based in the Respiratory Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
During this time the ARP has performed more than 29,000 chest x-rays, 11,500 CT scans, 45,000 blood tests and 49,000 lung function tests.
Prof Fraser Brims, Head of the Respiratory Department and Director of the ARP, said the ARP has pioneered modern technology in recent years with ultra-low dose CT scans to detect lung cancer at an early stage, when it can be successfully treated.
“Detecting and treating lung cancers at an early stage has changed the lives of many AR...