14 year old girl one of world’s youngest asbestos cancer sufferers

Last Updated on 26th April 2023 by

Girl from UK becomes one of youngest asbestos cancer sufferers

14 year old Macie Greening has become one of the world’s youngest asbestos cancer sufferers.

The teenage girl from Devon was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in March of this year.

Since her diagnosis, Macie has undergone four rounds of chemotherapy, but sadly without any success.

Her consultant decided to end the chemotherapy treatment as it simply wasn’t working and to try other options, including surgery.

Unfortunately, after having a laparoscopy in August it was revealed that surgery was not going to be an option for Macie.

She is reportedly one of only nine cases of her type of peritoneal mesothelioma within the UK and 20 worldwide.

Her rare form of cancer is most often caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma usually affects older people as it takes many years to manifest and for symptoms to occur.

So doctors are scratching their heads as they’ve no idea how Macie has developed the cancer as it’s very rare in children.

As the chemotherapy treatment hasn’t worked, Macie’s family are hoping they can get her onto a clinical drug trial.

Her family are also trying to raise £15,000 for Macie to go to Disney World in Florida, which is her ultimate dream.

Going with her on the once in a lifetime trip would be her parents Tracey and Nellie, her twin sister Madison and older sister, 17 year old Saskia.

The family have started a fundraising page to raise funds for the special trip.

They said on the page, ‘We are not sure what will happen from here but Macie is such a strong, beautiful young lady.”

‘She is continuing to make everyone laugh and smile like she usually would.”

‘She has already been through enough and is taking the whole situation in her stride, a true inspiration to all.’

Wristbands are also being sold to raise money with the words ‘Macie’s Army’ on them.

What is Peritoneal mesothelioma?

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, either through inhaling or swallowing fibers.

It forms in the tissue lining of the abdomen.

Mesothelioma in children itself is very rare, but doctors told the family that Macie is one of just nine children with peritoneal mesothelioma in the UK.

Macie’s aunt, Sonia Hurst said, “She’s been through four rounds of chemotherapy and it was hoped she could have surgery but we’ve since learnt that is not an option.”

“We’re now waiting for new trials to become available.”

“Macie loves being a princess and is obsessed with unicorns so she would love to go to Disney World.”

“She’s such an amazing girl and an inspiration to us all. Macie has been so strong through all of this and we so incredibly proud of her.”

Family members don’t believe she was exposed to the fibers herself and doctors are baffled as to how she had developed mesothelioma cancer.

Tracey, Macie’s mother, said, “There’s only nine in the UK and only about 20 in the whole world, we found it out by googling about her condition looking for treatment.”

“They have no idea how she got it, her biopsy is travelling around the world.”

“The doctors told us it takes 30 years for asbestos to get into your system so they knew it couldn’t be that, she’s not old enough. It’s a bit of a tricky one.”

“There’s a new trial drug that she’s been approved to start, we’re going to see our consultant in Bristol on Thursday to see what it entails.”

Source of article:-  www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6129855/Girl-14-one-youngest-people-world-asbestos-related-cancer.html


Did you enjoy reading our article on 14 year old girl one of world’s youngest asbestos cancer sufferers?  Then check out our latest posts below. Duty holders and employers have a legal responsibility to manage asbestos in their properties, carrying out an asbestos survey in their building so as not to put employees at risk.

So make sure you contact our Armco office to arrange an asbestos survey, before it’s too late! 

Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.

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