The fashion world was saddened last week by the death of former Sex Pistols manager and punk fashion leader Malcolm McLaren, after he lost his battle with cancer, aged 64.

McLaren was known by most for his involvement in the SEX boutique, and for his time as manager of The Sex Pistols, and he combined the two to push the boundaries of fashion and popular culture, helping to dress and entertain an anarchic generation.

But McLaren’s partner Young Kim has implied that some renovations he carried out on the shop and the time that he spent there, lead to him being diagnosed with lung cancer.

In keeping with the shops anarchic theme McLaren had ripped down some of the ceiling material inside the shop as he wanted it to look bomb damaged, and it was in this ceiling that there was board asbestos, a known cause of lung cancer. Following the renovation Malcolm (and indeed Vivienne), spent a great deal of his time in the shop, meaning he was continually exposed to asbestos.

Lung Cancer is the most common type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure, and is found in those who have been exposed to asbestos and it’s fibres over time. Asbestos lung cancer develops in the tissue that surrounds the lungs and can obstruct air passages making it difficult to breath.

McLaren became concerned in his later life that he had developed cancer, and shared his worries with his doctor. Spots were found on his lungs, but the doctor assured McLaren they were benign and it was only in 2009 that he was actually diagnosed with lung cancer. It is unclear whether an earlier diagnosis would have saved his life, but that is certainly what those close to him suspect.

Perhaps McLaren’s friends and family will never have the answers, but as they learn to live life without him in it, reports suggest his long term partner will raise a complaint against the doctor who was involved.

If you want to find out more about exposure to asbestos, and asbestos related illness, Chester solicitors Oliver & Co have a wide range of experience and detailed information on their website.