On November 11, 2008, Americans have the opportunity to honor the thousands of United States military veterans, living and deceased, who have fought to protect the very freedoms on which our great country was founded.
Veterans undoubtedly faced a number of dangers during their time served in the military, including the threat of enemy attack or disease while stationed overseas. One of the many risks that veterans may have faced – often without their knowing it – was that of asbestos exposure while on board naval ships or military aircraft or while servicing military vehicles. Exposure to asbestos is the only confirmed cause of the deadly cancer mesothelioma, and veterans are included in the group of individuals who are at a heightened risk of developing this disease.
During the 1940s and spanning into the late 1970s, asbestos was used in a number of products, including insulation and even duct tape. At that time, the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos were not yet recognized, and many people, including veterans, were unaware that they may suffer from asbestos-related illness years after they handled asbestos-containing materials. On military ships, for example, asbestos insulation lined piping, and in military vehicles, asbestos was often found in brake pads and other automobile parts.
If these asbestos products were damaged or disturbed, they could release tiny asbestos fibers into the air, putting military personnel at risk of inhalation. Once inhaled, the fibers, which have a claw-like architecture, could cling to the pleural lining of the lungs for decades before the individual may begin to suffer from asbestos-related symptoms, such as painful cough, the presence of fluid within the lung cavity or difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma (often called asbestos cancer) and other asbestos-caused ailments have a latent period of between 20 to 50 years, and newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients, many who are veterans, are usually between the ages of 55 and 70.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is a devastating reality for a military veteran who was exposed to asbestos decades before, as there is no known cure for mesothelioma cancer. There is often an unfortunate lack of medical and financial support available for veterans in general, and the reality of a cancer diagnosis can present a number of issues for a newly diagnosed veteran and their family.
Today, Veterans Day, the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center commends all veterans for their selfless and courageous service and for their steadfast dedication to their country. The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center encourages all veterans to speak with their doctor regarding their potential for developing mesothelioma cancer, and urges all Americans to help raise awareness of this and other veteran issues.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is a leading web resource for information focused on asbestos exposure, mesothelioma cancer and mesothelioma treatment options. The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is certified by the Health On The Net Foundation as a credible source of medical information. For more information please visit www.maacenter.org.
