There are a number of health-related issues facing veterans, as well as current military personnel, including healthcare coverage, post-traumatic stress, and a need for ongoing rehabilitation after an injury. There is another issue, however, that veterans and their families may not consider, and that is the possibility of exposure to asbestos while serving our country. Why is asbestos exposure a pressing issue? Previous exposure to this toxin is the only confirmed cause of pleural mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that attacks the lungs and presently does not have a cure.

Prior to the initiation of asbestos use regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency in the early 1980s, asbestos was widely used in various construction materials, including insulation and flooring tiles. Veterans who served in WW11, Vietnam and the Korean War are considered to be at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma, but even current military personnel run the risk of being exposed while aboard older naval ships, military aircraft, or while residing in older military housing. If asbestos is damaged or disturbed, the tiny asbestos fibers can become airborne, putting individuals at risk of inhalation. If inhaled, the fibers can grip to the pleural lining of the lungs for decades before an individual may begin to suffer from common mesothelioma cancer symptoms, including a chronic cough and the presence of fluid within the lung cavity.

The latent period associated with mesothelioma is between 20 and 50 years, and the average veteran is between the ages of 50 and 70 when they are diagnosed. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive type of cancer that generally claims the lives of its victims in less than 2 years following their initial diagnosis. Mesothelioma treatment options can improve and often extend the life of a patient, but only 1% will survive.

If you are a veteran or enlisted military personnel and you suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos, it is advisable to speak with your doctor to determine whether or not you are at an increased risk of one day developing mesothelioma. Early detection and treatment is the only chance of extended survival.

The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is the web’s leading resource for information related to veteran asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer. Please visit the MAA Center website for additional information.