‘Help me find answers around my mum’s death’

Brenda Brown was a fit and active 87-year-old who was “living her best life” when she was shattered by the news that recent symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue were in fact mesothelioma – a highly aggressive lung cancer caused by historic exposure to asbestos.

Only months later, in February 2024, Brenda, from Morley in West Yorkshire, died from the disease, after a painful and cruel last few weeks.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma was a huge shock to Brenda and her daughter Hayley, with Brenda having never knowingly worked in an environment where asbestos was known to be present. She had jobs in a dental surgery and school kitchen, and from the 1990s was known nationally for her work grooming West Highland White Terriers, even making it to Crufts with one of her dogs.

Based on anecdotal evidence, Hayley now fears her beloved mother contracted mesothelioma from washing her husband Reg’s work clothes. Washing overalls is known to be a source of transmission of deadly asbestos particles.

Reg worked for Yorkshire Water and died in 2013. He began his career as a plumber with the business – then Morley Corporation – in 1959 at Birk Lane Depot, rising through the ranks of Wakefield and District Water Board and then Yorkshire Water to reach the rank of Supply Superintendent, where he was based in the South Western District. He was always hands-on in his roles until his retirement in 1993.

Reg himself had lung cancer – and while at the time of his diagnosis there was no mention of any link to mesothelioma, Hayley says she “can’t help but wonder” now whether there could have been a connection.

Hayley is now keen to establish how her mother, who loved playing bowls in her later years and was part of a dance performance group which toured care homes, came to contract mesothelioma, having never knowingly been exposed to asbestos.

“My mum was so well known and loved by everyone who knew her, and it is heartbreaking to think of how she deteriorated,” says Hayley, Brenda and Reg’s only child.

“It was terrifying to see what happened to her. From being so active and full of energy, really living her best life, to becoming so frail in a really short space of time, has been absolutely devastating.

“I really need to know where this disease came from. If it was at home, then it’s really frightening. Have I been exposed too? I have been clearing their house out recently – is the asbestos still in there? It’s really so concerning, and I’d be so grateful to anyone who could help me shed some light on where my mum could have contracted this disease.”

From leading such an active life, and living every day to the full after the loss of her husband, Brenda first became unwell when waiting to catch a flight from Gatwick to embark on a cruise in late 2023. She sadly had to miss her flight due to feeling breathless and was taken back to West Yorkshire.

After visiting the GP and undergoing a number of tests and scans at Leeds General Infirmary, Brenda was given the devastating news that she had mesothelioma.

“We had heard of mesothelioma, but never thought that was what was wrong with her – it was a huge shock, and particularly not having any idea where it could have come from,” says Hayley.

“It has been such a horrible time to lose my mum in this way, and it’s really awful to talk about – but I have to, because I don’t have the answers. I really hope someone can help me.”

Hayley has turned to industrial disease specialists at law firm Slater and Gordon for support, with senior associate Christopher Briggs investigating on her behalf.

“The loss of your mother is of course absolutely devastating, but to learn it was at the hands of a cruel industrial disease has been traumatic for Hayley, and very difficult to come to terms with,” says Christopher.

“Her mother had no idea where she could possibly have been exposed to asbestos, and the very real fear is that it could have been through washing Reg’s work clothes. The thought of contracting a deadly industrial disease while carrying out daily tasks in your own home is truly horrific, and is of course very hard to deal with.

“We know how important it is to Hayley to find answers around this, and any information about the presence of asbestos during Reg’s career with Yorkshire Water could be vital. She would be immensely grateful for any support.”

Anyone with any information can contact Christopher Briggs on Christopher.briggs@slatergordon.uk or 0330 995 5368.