The brave men who served aboard Navy ships during World War II faced a number of dangers while serving their country, including enemy attacks and the vessel damage as a result of inclement weather while out at sea. One of the most devastating risks that these men would face, however, was that of asbestos exposure aboard Navy vessels. Previous exposure to asbestos has been long connected to the eventual development of mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, and a vast number of veterans find themselves diagnosed with this debilitating and fatal disease decades after they may have been exposed.
The federal government did not implement asbestos usage regulations until the early 1980s, and prior to this, asbestos was found in a variety of materials, including insulation and floor and ceiling tiles. Asbestos-containing insulation was widely used during the construction of the Navy vessels that served in World War II as piping insulation, and military personnel aboard these ships were exposed to harmful levels of airborne asbestos, often unknowingly.
Mesothelioma has a latent period of between twenty and fifty years, and the average newly-diagnosed veteran is often well into their seventies. There are three types of mesothelioma cancer: pleural, which occurs in the lining of the lungs; peritoneal, which manifests within the lining of the abdomen, and pericardial, which affects the lining of the heart. No matter which form of mesothelioma a veteran is diagnosed with, the debilitating effects of this aggressive disease are the same. The majority of mesothelioma patients lose their battle with this disease in less than two years following their diagnosis. Mesothelioma treatment methods can only temporarily ease symptoms and sustain a certain quality of life, as there is no currently no cure for mesothelioma.
Any veteran who may have been exposed while aboard a Navy ship should meet with their doctor to determine their risk of developing mesothelioma. For newly-diagnosed veterans, there are a variety of resources available, and it is important for veterans to inquire about support resources and benefits and take advantage of all that may be offered.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center encourages all veterans to speak with their doctor about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer and urges newly-diagnosed veterans to seek financial, legal and medical support.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) as a credible source of medical information and is the foremost resource for asbestos and mesothelioma information available on the web. Please visit www.maacenter.org for further information.
