A dad diagnosed with cancer in his lung lining after being exposed to asbestos on buolding sites in the 1970s has urged others in the building trade to get checked. Malcolm Ledgar, 64, based in Nottingham, worked as an apprentice joiner for a building company located in Cheshire when he was 15 in 1975, saying he frequently worked around asbestos but at that time, “nobody knew how bad” it was.
Years later, and following the passing of one of his former colleagues to suspected asbestosis, Malcolm had regular X-rays to ensure his lungs were healthy and clear – when in September 2024 he began to notice a “little, annoying ache” under his right ribs. After having an X-ray and a subsequent CT scan, Malcolm was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2024, a type of cancer which is usually linked with asbestos exposure.
Despite feeling as though he “could place blame” and “be angry with the world”, Malcolm wants to “enjoy the time” he has, which includes retiring from his job owning a leasing business and going on a big family cruise with his wife of 13 years, Nicola, 56, and their children and grandchildren. Malcolm is also planning an event on February 1 to “celebrate” his life with his family and friends, where he will be asking those who can to donate to his GoFundMe page which is aiming to raise money for two charities which have supported him – East Midlands Asbestos Support Team (EMAST) and Mesothelioma UK.
Malcolm is fundraising for two charities who have supported him (Collect/PA Real Life)
“If you feel any inkling something is wrong, ask for an X-ray – only you know your own body,” Malcolm told PA Real Life. “I could place blame and be angry with the world, but it’s not going to achieve anything.Why not be happy with the world and just enjoy what time I’ve got?”
Malcolm worked as an apprentice joiner for a building company located in Cheshire when he was 15 in 1975, continuing to work there for around eight years. “In the 70s and 80s, you always got the rough jobs in your first year as an apprentice,” he said.“You were always knocking walls down or doing repairs.In those days, nobody knew about how bad asbestos was, there was no personal protection equipment or anything like that.
“I remember working with it, but I was definitely not aware of the damage.”
Malcolm said he left the building trade at the age of 27 – and working with the company is the only time he could “pinpoint” being exposed to asbestos. Years later and Malcolm said one of his former colleagues was thought to have died from asbestosis, a rare but serious lung condition that affects people exposed to asbestos, according to the NHS.“He was a lovely gentleman, I was sort of his apprentice,” Malcolm recalled.“He passed away a long time ago.”
Malcolm said his death caused him to be more wary of his exposure to asbestos and since then, he has had regular X-rays on his lungs “It always stuck in the back of my mind,” he said.
After moving from Cheshire to Nottingham in 2009, Malcolm said he changed GPs but his frequent check-ups slipped his mind. “You get busy in your own world, I completely forgot about it,” he said.
In March 2023, Malcolm said he was discussing “the old days” with his wife which jogged his memory about the X-rays. He scheduled one for the same month and it came back clear, but 18 months later in September 2024, he noticed a strange pain in his ribs.
“It started with a little ache under my right rib, just an annoying ache,” Malcolm said. Malcolm booked a GP appointment for October 2 and he was fast-tracked for an X-ray two days later at Nottingham City Hospital.
Malcolm and his wife Nicola (Collect/PA Real Life)
He was then taken for a CT scan the same day due to some “concerns” about his lungs. Malcolm was called back to the hospital five days later on October 9 where he was diagnosed with suspected mesothelioma – a type of cancer that develops in the lining of some of the body’s organs and is usually linked to asbestos exposure.
“There’s no cure for it and it’s covering my right lung at the moment,” Malcolm said. “I’ve not dug into it too deeply, I’ve not gone into detail just yet and I’ve not really asked what stage it might be.”
Malcolm said there was a build-up of fluid surrounding his right lung which was drained during a four-hour procedure under general anaesthetic on December 3, with a sample of the fluid being sent off for further testing. On December 11, Malcolm received a confirmed diagnosis for malignant mesothelioma and he started immunotherapy treatment at Nottingham City Hospital on January 7 – a treatment which uses the immune system to fight cancer cells.
“To be quite honest, when you’ve been diagnosed you’re trying to deal with it in your own mind,” Malcolm said. “I’m a very positive person and it’s one of those things where I can’t change anything that’s going to happen.I’m just really glad that knowing my own body and thinking there was something going on there that it was spotted.”
Malcolm and his wife Nicola (Collect/PA Real Life)
Following his diagnosis, Malcolm has urged anyone working in the building trade in the 70s and 80s to listen to their own bodies and book an X-Ray if something does not feel right. “If you feel any aches or you’ve taken in dust particles, ask for a check-up and say you feel something is wrong,” he encouraged.
Looking ahead to the future, Malcolm feels his “positive attitude” will help him in the face of his diagnosis. “It’s not going to affect me personally, I’m booking holidays and making plans,” he said.He added he will be going on a family cruise in May this year with his wife, Nicola, their children and grandchildren.
On February 1, Malcolm will also be throwing a party in Nottingham to “celebrate” his life with his nearest and dearest. He is asking those who can to donate to his GoFundMe page which seeks to fundraise for two charities – EMAST and Mesothelioma UK.
“These two charities have been very supportive right through, from day one,” Malcolm said.
To find out more, visit Malcolm’s GoFundMe page here: gofundme.com/f/nqpg6t-mesothelioma-cancer