Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc.

Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc. The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc.

(ADFA) is a not-for profit organisation working to provide support to people living with asbestos and silica-related diseases, family members, carers and friends.

17/06/2026

Silicosis symptoms develop slowly, often after years of exposure to .

Here’s why early detection matters. is called a “silent disease” because you may not feel any symptoms until your lungs have already been significantly damaged.

Hear from Prof. Deborah Yates and why it is so important that people let their doctor know if they have worked with silica dust - you don’t have to wait for symptoms to take action.
https://silicosis.org.au/about-silicosis/silicosis-symptoms/

16/06/2026

Men’s Health Week 15-21 June 2026 – promoting physical and psychosocial health in preventing occupational lung diseases

Men's Health Week is acknowledged every year globally in the middle of June as an opportunity to highlight the importance of men's health, and to promote and support the health and wellbeing of men and boys in our communities. The overall aims of the week are to:
- heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
- support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities.
- encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

The burden of occupational lung diseases overwhelmingly affects the male population in Australia. Over 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma each year resulting from historical asbestos exposure are men (Australian Mesothelioma Register) and almost 100% of cases reported to the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry so far are male.

Men's Health Week focuses not just physical health, but also men's mental health and emotional wellbeing. A diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease or silicosis can result in psychosocial harm for the patient and their families and friends. Those diagnosed with silicosis in particular, are much younger and are more prone to psychosocial stress when they are forced to give up their employment or have to retrain for lesser paying jobs.

If you work in higher risk occupations, schedule a health check up with your GP. Early detection of conditions is vital in preventing cancer and occupational lung diseases. If you are eligible, access the National Lung Cancer Screening Program which has been established to save lives by detecting lung cancer early.

Occupational lung diseases for men are entirely preventable so elimination of risk and prevention of exposure to harms are the ultimate goals. Visit websites like NSW-Department of Health Men’s Health site for more information and services to help you take action to improve your health and wellbeing.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/men/Pages/default.aspx

16/06/2026

A reminder, the next session will be held on:

Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Time: 1:00–2:00 pm (AEST)
Online via Microsoft Teams
Topic: Radiation oncology explained
Presented by: Dr Mo Mo Tin, Radiation Oncologist, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
Register: https://addri.org.au/training/meso-hour-tuesday-7-july-2026/

This session will provide an overview of radiation therapy in the management of . Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the role of radiation therapy and ask questions in a supportive and informative environment.

Please find the July session flyer attached, which includes registration details. Once registered, attendees will receive a Microsoft Teams invitation on 6 July 2026.

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, patients, families, and others who may be interested.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Meso Hour. We look forward to welcoming attendees to the July session.

10/06/2026

Communicating about silica risk can be complex. A resource has been developed to ensure that information communicated is clear, consistent and evidence-based.

Vale Professor Richard Scolyer AO, a great Australian and a leader who has shown what is possible in research and treatm...
09/06/2026

Vale Professor Richard Scolyer AO, a great Australian and a leader who has shown what is possible in research and treatment beyond the standard norms.

We know that his selflessness and innovation will help disease sufferers and their families in the future. ADFA fully supports the part of his open letter which states:

"To all cancer patients, I encourage you to consider enrolling in research and clinical trials, if on offer. And to government and the wider community, please keep funding science and medical research. This is the most impactful way that you too can make a difference."


(Thanks to Melanoma Institute Australia for the use of their image)

Renovations can disturb - if you live in a property that was built before 1990, there is more likely asbestos present ...
01/06/2026

Renovations can disturb - if you live in a property that was built before 1990, there is more likely asbestos present in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, wall cladding or outside garage. Don't risk it, get a licensed assessor/removalist to confirm if you have asbestos or not.

ADFA executive and general members attended the International Workers Memorial Day and Day of Mourning yesterday in Sydn...
29/04/2026

ADFA executive and general members attended the International Workers Memorial Day and Day of Mourning yesterday in Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle to commemorate all those taken too early as a result of asbestos and dust-related diseases.

Each year family members, unionists, workers and their loved ones gather to remember the lives lost in the workplace and recommit ourselves to fighting for the living.

The international theme for this year’s IWMD is ‘Fighting Psychosocial Hazards at Work.’ Those diagnosed with occupational lung diseases like silicosis and mesothelioma suffer enormous psychosocial damage as a result of exposure and what it will mean to their families when they can no longer work, or they die from illnesses.

ADFA will continue to advocate for those diagnosed with an OLD and their families and necessary changes to WHS laws to protect workers from future exposure.
Barry Robson Dr. Gordon Reid MP SafeWork NSW Safe Work Australia Australian Unions

02/04/2026

ADFA has three regional support groups running with monthly meeting to attend:

The Newcastle Support Group meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at Toronto Workers Club at 11am.

The Central Coast Support Group meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Ourimbah RSL at 1pm – 3pm.

Our newest Support Group on the South Coast meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10.30am. The venue for the 15 April meeting is the Builders Club, 61 Church Street, Wollongong.

If you wish to come along, please contact the adfa office on 1800 006 196 or 02 9637 8759.

10/03/2026

Our next NSW Occupational Respiratory Disease MDT meeting is coming up This Friday, 13 March from 7:30am – 8:30am.

Since launching in June, we’ve seen excellent engagement and high-quality case submissions, highlighting the real value of this statewide initiative. The MDT is designed to support doctors and healthcare professionals in managing complex, non-malignant occupational and environmental lung diseases with greater confidence. These sessions can now be used for Continued Professional Development (CPD) and certificates of attendance will be issued to participting clinicians.

Referrals are now open to submit a case for discussion - or simply join us to listen, learn, and contribute to the conversation. You can find all the details for the next meeting here: https://addri.org.au/educate/health-professionals/occupational-respiratory-disease-mdt/

Address

133-137 Parramatta Road, Suite 3, Granville
Sydney, NSW
2142

Telephone

+61293678759

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