Steve McQueen

[Nordic]

I watched the program on BBc2 about Steve McQueen last week. The form of cancer he died from is rare and was put down to the fire proof face masks he worn during his racing. Has anyone else suffered the same way?

[SL]

I think this was discussed on another forum recently. The cancer was mesothelioma and very rare.

If it was from the masks then other drivers who raced far more would surely have suffered.

SL

[Muzza]

Nordic and SL,

On the other hand, I saw a tv documentary that emphatically linked Steve McQueen's cancer to his smoking habit.

(maybe just because it was an US-made documentary. American smokers, watch out! One day some anti-tabagist crusaders will suggest you to get capital penalty for your habit)

There are so many potential causes for cancer - genetic/hereditary issues, habits (smoking/eating/drinking/even flying in airplanes and mountaineering have been considered activities of risk), exposure to chemical agents, exposure to radioactivity, even pathogens, combination of the precedent, etc...

This sort of statement is rather (to say the least) questionable without the necessary scientific/research back-up.

Also, the same form of cancer can be caused by different carcinogenic agents (exceptions to this are uncommon - is this the case with mesothelioma?).

Muzza

[fausto]

Recently around here (Milan, Italy), mesothelioma was in the news because a vast number of foundry workers suffered, sometimes fatally, from it. In this case the cause was contact with absestos, a material used for its fireproofing properties.

[mickj]

Did Steve Mcqueen work with asbestos at the age of 18??. I have read this years ago

[Jenny]

I missed the doco - does anyone have a copy on video I could have?