MJA, MDA National Prize for Excellence in Medical Research 2011

It is a pleasure to announce the winner of the MJA, MDA National Prize for Excellence in Medical Research 2011. This $10 000 award honours the authors of the best original clinical research article published in the Medical Journal of Australia in each calendar year.

The Journal’s Content Review Committee has awarded the 2011 prize to a team of seven authors led by Nola Olsen and Professor Bill Musk from Perth, Western Australia, for their article “Increasing incidence of malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation”, published in the 5 September 2011 issue of the Journal.

Australia has the highest rate of mesothelioma in the world. The article describes the so-called “third wave” — the increasing numbers of people diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after asbestos exposure unrelated to their occupation. This group especially comprises those exposed to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation.

Using data from the Western Australian Mesothelioma Register, this research was the first in Australia to document an upward trend in mesothelioma cases in home renovators. The public health implications of the findings are clear. The results received widespread media coverage and were tabled in the Senate.

With the current epidemic of home renovation programs on our television screens, it remains incomprehensible that James Hardie and CSR have not attempted to systematically warn people about the risks of working with the asbestos products they manufactured.

On accepting the prize on behalf of the authors, Professor Musk acknowledged the contributions made by Dr Jim McNulty, who diagnosed the first case of mesothelioma in an asbestos mine worker from Wittenoom, WA (published in the MJA), and Dr Janet Elder, who started the mesothelioma registry with a piece of butcher’s paper on the wall of her office, to which she stuck patient identification labels. Subsequently, Professors Michael Hobbs and Bruce Armstrong were pivotal in formalising the registry.

The award was presented by Associate Professor Julian Rait, President of MDA National, who generously sponsored the prize.

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