Mesothelioma Symptoms in Veterans
Veterans of U.S. Armed Services are quite often exposed to asbestos and become victims of mesothelioma. Approximately 30% of mesothelioma victims have at some point been in the U.S. military. In recent years, many former Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel and their spouses have developed mesothelioma. The association between veterans and mesothelioma is quite prominent among people who served in the shipyards for the Navy during World War II.
Asbestos Exposure in Veterans
Asbestos was used extensively during the World War II. Millions of military personnel were exposed to it every day on their job sites and as it was used in shipyards, thousands of shipyard workers started showing symptoms of this disease. Along with them their family members were also exposed to it through secondary exposure when they came in contact with the clothes worn by the workers.
Of the 22.7 million veterans in the U.S., most of them were exposed to asbestos as military has used it in different situation like in the areas of fireproofing and insulation. Around 1970s, it was found that asbestos can lead to cancer and this resulted in the reduction of usage of asbestos. Later, it was banned from being used.
The veterans who have worked with asbestos and who have contracted the deadly disease are:
- Insulation installers
- Boiler room workers and those who worked below deck
- Shipyard workers
- Construction workers
- Machinery repairmen
- Mates of Machinists
Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer among Veterans
Veterans like soldiers, sailors, Marines and others with mesothelioma notice the initial symptoms and signs of mesothelioma after 40-50 years as the latency period for this disease are longer. If they have symptoms of mesothelioma like chest or abdominal pain and shortness of breath or wheezing, they should get medical assistance immediately.
Compensation for Veterans with Mesothelioma
Veterans who contracted this form of cancer due to asbestos exposure at workplace were not permitted to seek compensation from the American government through legal means. However, the Department of Veteran Affairs recognizes it as an illness which is connected with military service and provided various resources and remuneration for cases of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos connected diseases. The veterans should prove that they were exposed to asbestos while they were in the military. If they are unable to do so, then manufacturers of asbestos may provide some benefits instead of legal compensation.
Mesothelioma cancer patient resource with questions and answers about mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure.http://www.100mesothelioma.com
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