A WOMAN who has terminal cancer aged just 44 says she believes it could have been caused by contact with asbestos on the clothes of her grandfather who worked at Devonport Dockyard.

Debra Edwards said she was one of the youngest people in the country ever to be diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2008.

Debra-Edwards
WARNING: Debra Edwards, above left, who has terminal mesothilioma, which she believes may have been caused by asbestos from clothes belonging to her grandfather Jack Duffin, above. Left, from left, Colin Cory, Jane Cory, Chloe Cory, aged seven, Debra Edwards and Paul Stevenson

She was then given a worst-case scenario in which she had only nine months left to live.

"Nobody understands why I got it at such an early age," said Debra, who lives in Honicknowle. "It usually takes between 20 and 40 years to develop."

However, she said she could have contracted the lung cancer from contact with her grandfather Jack Duffin, who died aged 86 about 10 years ago from a different disease which was related to asbestos and smoking.

"When I was young he used to live around the corner in Plymouth and I used to see him almost every day until I moved to London when I was 21," she said. "In those days they used to come home with asbestos on their clothes.

"I could have caught this by the normal cuddles between a grandfather and his granddaughter."

Her illness could also have been caused by dislodging asbestos while decorating, she said.

Debra spoke of a 'time bomb' of more cases of asbestos-related diseases being diagnosed in Plymouth over the years.

The city has been highlighted as the UK's third worst hotspot for the disease, with about 35 to 40 cases appearing each year.

Debra said the only other way she could have caught the condition was by decorating houses containing the deadly substance.

She has lived in houses with asbestos in the walls and ceilings, where it was once a common building material.

Debra, a former pupil at Ernesettle Juniors and the old Ernesettle Secondary, said: "I just don't know how it happened and I cannot prove it. I just want to warn people how dangerous this substance is in the walls and ceilings of our homes."

She urged anyone doing building work around the home to contact an approved contractor if there was a chance that asbestos was there.

Debra spoke out to thank her family and friends who have rallied around to help her.

Debra, who has worked as a sales assistant in shops in Plymouth and London, praised friend Jane Corbey, who organised a raffle which raised £700.

Friends and family rallied around at the Stonehouse Creek community centre about a month ago to help raise money for a lightweight wheelchair.

Debra, who has known Jane since primary school, said: "She has been like a sister to me. Nothing has been too much trouble for her."

She suffers bouts of breathlessness and has trouble moving around, as well as suffering from osteoporosis caused by the chemotherapy.

Debra said the lightweight wheelchair was far easier for her disabled parents Tony and Val Edwards, from Ernesettle, to move about and fit into her car. It will also help her boyfriend Paul Stevenson, who has a back injury.

She is also supported by her children Deanne, aged 23, and 21-year-old Carl.

Debra said she recovered from Hodgkin's lymphoma, a different type of cancer, which she had when she was 28.

She added that she was trying not to think about her cancer and living a day at a time. Debra has received a payout from the Government, which she did not want to disclose, but said that she could not claim a greater figure in compensation.