Veterans and Mesothelioma

Article Provided by: Mesothelioma & Absetos Awareness Center

For decades, proud female military veterans have served our country in war, risking their lives for the freedom of their fellow United States citizens. The risks these veterans faced while on active duty may seem obvious, but there are also hidden dangers that the majority of veterans may not be aware of. In fact, female veterans may be even less knowledgeable about these risks than their male counterparts due to a lack of quality healthcare for females in the military. These dangers include exposure to asbestos, which has been linked to later development of mesothelioma.

Veterans are at an even greater risk of asbestos exposure than the average person for various reasons. Naval veterans, for example, are at perhaps the greatest risk of all veterans, as asbestos was widely used on naval ships and in naval shipyards. Prior to a nationwide ban on asbestos in 1980, asbestos was a commonly utilized material in structural elements, including insulation and electrical fittings. The vast majority of naval vessels constructed prior to the ban contained high levels of asbestos, and veterans who serviced these ships or spent an extended period of time on a ship during active duty may have been unknowingly exposed.

In addition, veterans may have been at risk for asbestos inhalation while using artillery that had been constructed using asbestos-containing materials. Certain military aircraft may also have contained high levels of asbestos.

Asbestos fibers are very tiny and have claw-like structures. If inhaled, they may become lodged in the lining of the lungs and lie dormant for upward of fifty years before an individual displays symptoms commonly associated with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, has no known cure, and upon diagnosis, an individual may only survive for up to two years before they succumb to the disease. This is a devastating prospect, especially for female veterans, who may leave behind their husband and children. The encouraging news is that there are various mesothelioma treatment options.

Asbestos exposure is not only linked to mesothelioma, but is also known to cause additional damage to the lining of the body’s major internal organs.

This year alone, 2,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with mesothelioma, and women are more likely to succumb to lung cancer than men. Any female veteran who suspects that she may have been exposed to asbestos while serving our country should consult a doctor who specializes in pleural mesothelioma and seek treatment as soon as possible.