Public Service Announcement: Mesothelioma and Veterans | War ...

By Douglas Karr, USN, Ret.
Contact:?Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance

With the widespread use of asbestos in all branches of the US military between the 1930?s to 1970?s, veterans are now one of the high risk populations for mesothelioma. This serious disease is an uncommon and aggressive form of cancer, which is often deadly.

Mesothelioma results from exposure to asbestos and affects the chest, abdominal and cardiac areas of the body. The major types of this cancer are pleural that affects the lungs and chest, peritoneal, affecting the abdomen and pericardial, the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms do not usually occur until about 20 ? 50 years after exposure, resulting in significant damage and late diagnosis. Although incurable, the prognosis of this disease is encouraging with treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or combination therapies.

Due to the excellent fire and heat-resistant properties, asbestos was a popular material used in several military applications, including construction, maintenance and demolition of equipment, machinery and buildings.

Installations such as bases and shipyards and operations on the battlefield were major sites for contact with asbestos. This led to many veterans who served in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force during the 19th century being at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Veterans also served their country and performed a variety of duties in facilities and with equipment and products that were made with asbestos. By breathing in the asbestos particles and fibers, veterans were at risk of developing mesothelioma from direct or second-hand exposure.

The branches of the military, applications, buildings, materials and occupations that were major sources for asbestos exposure to veterans are as follows:

Navy

• Helped with the construction and maintenance of warships,
• Worked at shipyards or in boiler, engine and navigation rooms on navy ships,
• Spent extensive time in tight quarters such as mess halls and sleeping areas,
• Handled gaskets, cables, ropes, turbines and electrical insulation.

Army

• Used mess halls, sleeping quarters, ammunition storage areas and training facilities over long periods,
• Traveled in or used military vehicles,
• Repaired brakes and gasket systems on military vehicles,
• Constructed buildings at military bases and handled wall insulation, flooring and ceiling tiles and asbestos cement,
• Served on battlefield in countries such as Iraq where asbestos is used in building construction.

Marines

• Spent long hours at sea on navy ships,
• Lived, dined and trained in military installations that used asbestos products and materials in their construction,
• Used military vehicles or repaired their engine, braking and gaskets.

Air Force

• Serviced military aircrafts, especially cargo areas insulation, electrical wiring and heating and braking systems,
• Worked in or spent extended time at base housing facilities.

Before the late 1970?s, many veterans were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during service in the US military. This resulted in mesothelioma many years later. Due to the high-risk exposure faced by veterans, mesothelioma became a recognizable medical condition that is related to military service and qualifies for Veterans Affairs benefits. It is important that veterans be aware of mesothelioma risks and treatments to help improve the prognosis of this rare and aggressive cancer.

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Source: http://warretreat.org/2012/08/08/public-service-announcement-mesothelioma-and-veterans/

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