Remember that your hospital doctors, nurses, GP and other health professionals are there to support you, and to give you information. Talk to them and feel free to ask them questions.

Your hospital may have a lung cancer nurse specialist who is an expert in helping people with your type of cancer.

There are a number of local or national support group and information services you might like to contact.

Your hospital social worker will be able to help with practical and financial matters.

Financial compensation
If mesothelioma has been caused because of work-related exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to financial compensation, either through the government’s industrial injuries compensation scheme, or by making a civil claim in the courts.

To claim state industrial injuries benefit, you will need to send in a report from your doctor which gives a diagnosis of mesothelioma. You will then be treated as 100% disabled, and entitled to the maximum basic payment. You can obtain a claim form by calling the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 and asking for the form Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, Mesothelioma B1 (110 pn).

To make a civil claim you should seek legal advice as soon as possible because of time limits. Your trade union may be able to help you with the claim, otherwise a law centre or advice service will be able to help you to find a solicitor who specialises in industrial injuries.