Mesothelioma The Hidden Danger for Veterans

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The brave men and women who have served their country are modern day heroes. Fighting for freedom has never come easy, nor does it now. According to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, there are currently 25 million individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces?THANK YOU!!

Unfortunately, literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions of these heroes were exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their services, and are only now ? sometimes as late as 50 years later ? experiencing what that can mean.

What is asbestos?

These days, asbestos is a well known carcinogen. This fiber consists of long, thin fibrous crystals and may be mixed with other substances in order to resistant heat, electricity and chemical damage, making it at one time a popular insulator and fire retardant.

Why are veterans at risk?

Due to these characteristics, asbestos was widely used by every military branch with the intention of protecting service men and women. It was so useful that it was mandated for wide spread usage prior to being phased out in the 1970s, after its risks became public. In the Armed Forces, it was used mainly for insulation purposes, but has also been used in over 300 consumer and building products. The Navy primarily used asbestos between the 1930s and 1970s, fitting nearly every ship with it, and covering nearly all shipyards with numerous asbestos-containing materials. While the material may have saved lives in the past by preventing fires, there may now be a price to pay for those lives in the form of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can be either malignant or benign. Malignant mesothelioma is the most hazardous form of asbestos cancer and is deadly in most cases. This cancer affects the mesothelium, a lining that protects the heart, stomach, lungs, and other organs by making a special fluid that lubricates the organs and allows them to move.

What materials and products contained asbestos?

Asbestos was used in various materials and components, including but not limited to:

--Cement

--Flooring products

--Insulation

--Steam pipes

--Gaskets

--Brakes and Clutches

--Boilers

Who could be affected by asbestos?

Many veterans could be affected by asbestos, as its wide spread usage was mandated between the 1930s and 1970s. At-risk occupations in the service include:

--Navy personnel below the deck

--Construction workers

--Shipyard workers

--Boiler room workers

--Machinery repairmen

--Literally all sailors because asbestos was used in their navigation rooms, sleeping quarters, and mess halls, just to name a few.

Possibly even more disturbing, the spouses and children of serving men and women could have been inadvertently affected due to secondary exposure from asbestos fibers carried home in uniforms and other accessories. These fibers could then be inhaled by whoever came in contact with the contaminated clothing, thereby placing that individual at risk.

Is there any compensation involved?

Unfortunately, there is no disability eligibility for serving men and women unless you can prove that the mesothelioma was due to asbestos exposure during active duty. Due to the delayed manifestation of the disease, this can be very difficult to prove. However, there may be recourse available, if you research your situation.

As a veteran of our Armed Forces, you realized many of the dangers involved in protecting this country, and again that service is very much appreciated. However, if you are suffering from lung-related issues, or feel that you may have been exposed to asbestos during your time in the service, you should see your doctor immediately. As with many cancers, mesothelioma has a better prognosis if it is detected and aggressively treated in its early stages.

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cancer Resource Center is focused on bringing an easy to use and extremely informative website to those searching for information on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. With our informative videos and accurate, board-certified-oncologist reviewed articles, we trust you will find this to be a true resource.