Mesothelioma Web Expands Veterans Section

Mesothelioma Web, the internet’s most comprehensive source of information about asbestos cancer, expanded their section for veterans. Veterans are a special population of concern for mesothelioma cancer, as many were exposed to asbestos during their time in the service.

The long latency period of mesothelioma causes the disease to develop sometimes decades after exposure to asbestos fibers. Thousands of servicemen and women exposed in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Because mesothelioma is often mistaken for other diseases such as lung cancer, it is difficult to diagnose. A definitive diagnosis involves a tissue biopsy. Mesothelioma Web has a list of oncologists with experience treating mesothelioma, and contact information for major cancer centers around the country. The Veterans section includes a list of B-readers, radiologists certified to identify asbestos diseases from a chest x-ray.

The new Veterans section includes a comprehensive list of Veterans Service Offices around the country. Veterans Services Officers can assist veterans and their dependents in filing claims. There are hundreds of Veterans Services Offices in local communities, and they are listed with the name of the officer, phone number, address, and hours of operation.

Most U.S. Navy ships operated between 1935 and 1980 contained large quantities of asbestos. Asbestos was prized as a building material because of its flexibility, light weight, and resistance to fire. Naval personnel on the ships were exposed, as were Seabees and shore personnel. Fire and engine rooms typically had a lot of asbestos because of the insulation and refractory elements needed in those hot areas, but all areas of large ships had some asbestos. Seamen frequently lived on the ships during maintenance and even when the ships were in drydock.

Jobs most often affected by asbestos diseases include boiler Tender, gunners, firemen (engine room), boilermen, engine mechanics, and shipfitters. Seabees (military construction) were also exposed to asbestos, as were many other shipyard workers during those decades.