Paolo Marotta began his working career as an apprentice plumber at just 15 years old. Paolo continued ‘working’ after his official retirement, still doing jobs for friends and family.
It was in October 2024, following a holiday abroad that Paolo developed a persistent cough. Initially, it seemed like a regular problem and he was prescribed antibiotics after visiting his GP, but the symptoms didn’t go away.
Advised to attend A&E, doctors found fluid on his lungs and carried out a drainage procedure, removing the maximum amount permitted. Although his cough improved, Paolo knew something still didn’t feel right.
Pushing through the pain
Despite the pain, Paolo continued working. He underwent CT scans, MRIs, and additional x-rays that confirmed that the fluid had returned. He was referred to The Heart Hospital in London for a pleural drainage and stayed for a week before being discharged to spend Christmas with his family.
Over that period, Paolo was in constant pain, with low energy and was struggling to find answers to his questions. There were early discussions about the possibility of asbestos exposure and the worrying mention of cancer. However, no formal diagnosis was made.
As his condition worsened, Paolo returned to A&E many times and with the pain becoming too great, he was put on morphine. He was scheduled to see a specialist in January 2025 to receive his diagnosis but that same morning, Paolo’s condition deteriorated so rapidly that an ambulance was called and he was taken to Papworth Hospital with a suspected heart attack.
Michelle, his daughter, went to the original appointment regardless – only to later learn that the problem wasn’t cardiac but rather a significant build-up of fluid again.
A rapid deterioration after diagnosis
At Papworth, Paolo was finally diagnosed with mesothelioma. Doctors explained that while there were treatment options like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, Paolo was simply too unwell to begin any of them at that time. He was initially given a few months to live.
His body deteriorated quickly. The pain persisted and later that month, as his condition worsened, he was transferred to a hospice closer to home. Just 13 days after receiving his diagnosis, he sadly passed away.
Family’s strength and a legal fight
Although Paolo had already retired, he’d spent his working life in a trade historically linked to asbestos exposure. Thankfully, while in hospital, Paolo was able to provide a full legal statement as part of a civil claim investigation. Solicitor Phoebe Osborne from Hugh James continues to work on behalf of his family.
His daughter Michelle got married in June 2024 and the family remains grateful for that special memory. They would never have thought just a few months later Paolo would become so unwell.
Raising awareness and fundraising for mesothelioma
Paolo’s story is a painful reminder of how quickly this disease can take hold and how little is still understood about it.
“Our thoughts are with every family affected by this devastating disease,” said Michelle.
“Dad was strong, hardworking and full of love. None of us could have imagined how fast everything would change.”
Wife Elaine, son Gary, Daughter Michelle and son-in-law Arun have subsequently raised £490 in Paolo’s memory by inviting donations to Mesothelioma UK through the order of service at his funeral.
Paolo’s family now hope that his story will help to raise awareness, and push for better understanding and earlier detection of mesothelioma. They continue to advocate for justice and education so that fewer families have to go through the same heartbreak.
Adding to this, a spokesperson from Mesothelioma UK added:
‘The Marotta family experience illustrates why we need to continue to raise awareness about mesothelioma and asbestos diseases. For health care professionals, we need to continue to ask regulators, professional bodies and health care providers to ensure that health care workers, because they practise in the country with the highest incidence of asbestos related disease, must all be educated about asbestos and the diseases it causes. Anyone presenting with just one of the symptoms that Mr Marotta presented should have an asbestos-related disease considered.
‘Thank you for sharing your story, for supporting Mesothelioma UK during such a difficult time and heartfelt condolences to you all.’
