Mesothelioma in Veterans

Mesothelioma is a fatal type of cancer that can ultimately lead to death after being diagnosed. The onset of mesothelioma is usually because of occupational asbestos exposure. Hundreds of thousands of veterans were exposed to asbestos in their jobsites such as shipyards and Navy during military service and have developed mesothelioma cancer. It was the major cause of asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma in veterans.

Who are at Risk of Mesothelioma?
Retired military servicemen and women, especially those who worked in the Navy and shipyards may have been frequently exposed to asbestos during the construction of buildings. In addition, those who performed maintenance on vehicles are also at great risk of mesothelioma. Military servicemen who were exposed to asbestos might brought the fibers home on their skin and clothing. This might have transferred the fibers to other family members, developing risk for mesothelioma. Moreover, those who worked with asbestos-laden materials are also at high risks for developing asbestos related disorders including asbestosis, mesothelioma cancer, and lung cancer.

Asbestos Exposure in Veterans
Formerly, asbestos was highly used for its fire proof and heat resistant capabilities as the health risks associated with asbestos were not known. If truth be told, it was considered as a valuable mineral fiber and was commercially used before 1970s. Veterans who have worked in asbestos jobsites between 1940 and 1970 have a risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Moreover, Navy personnel and workers employed in shipyards from the 1930s till 1970s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Symptoms in Veterans
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma usually have the following common symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Frequent coughing
• Fluid in the lungs
• Sudden weight loss

Although it is quite difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma symptoms are closely mimic with other respiratory illnesses and it's usually misdiagnosed with pneumonia or influenza. Veterans account for an estimated 30% of all mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Since, symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually appear until several decades. When asbestos fibers enter the body they become lodged in the lining of the lungs, causing lesion which can lead to the development of the cancer. Mesothelioma treatment for asbestos related diseases depends upon the stages and type of the disease.

Mesothelioma in Veterans - Care, Compensation and Treatment
Anyone who was a US military veteran that has developed mesothelioma cancer is eligible for assistance, compensation and treatment from asbestos manufacturers or any companies that are responsible for your asbestos exposure. Veterans can contact mesothelioma attorney that help them file a claim against the company responsible for their asbestos-related illness.

Author Bio:
Rachel Smith is a web enthusiast and professional webmaster. She loves to write about mesothelioma research findings that help people and their loved ones suffering from mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma - Some Risk Factors

Mesothelioma is a deadly lung cancer that is most frequently caused by asbestos exposure. It can manifest in the lungs, the lining of the abdomen and the pericardium. It is estimated that almost 80% of all diagnoses are made because of exposure to asbestos. Although mesothelioma is directly linked to asbestos exposure but there are some other risk factors that can be a cause of mesothelioma.

Workplace Exposure
One of the major risk factor for developing mesothelioma is asbestos exposure at work. Occupations such as mining, insulation manufacturers, shipbuilding, pipefitters, railroad workers and those who are in construction are at high risk. Because of its insulating and heat-resistant nature, asbestos was once commonly used in insulation, flooring, cement and many other common products. Individuals who had prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers are at a greater risk.

Non-Occupational Risks
Families of those who are exposed to airborne asbestos particles as well as those who live near industrial plants or mines are at an increased risk.

Zeolites
Zeolites are microporous crystalline solids which are chemical similar to asbestos. Zeolites are widely used for the preparation of advanced materials and in nuclear reprocessing. Accoridng to clinical studies, it has proved that long term persistence of Zeolites (fibrous erionite) can lead to malignant mesothelioma. This will make zeolites a solid suspect in the formation of mesothelioma.

SV40
SV40 is a polyomavirus that is found in both monkeys and human, is also another risk factor of this fatal disease. Clinical findings suggest that experimental animals were developed mesothelioma when injected with SV40. Researches also showed that traces of SV40 have also found in the biopsy samples of mesothelioma patients.

Radiation
According to some recent clinical research it has been discovered that ionizing radiation is another risk factor for developing mesothelioma. Radiation exposed individuals such as patients exposed to the diagnostic X-ray contrast medium "Thorotrast," or atomic energy workers chronically exposed to lower levels of radiation are at also at risk of developing this disease.

Smoking
Although smoking is not the direct cause of mesothelioma development, but studies show that smokers exposed to asbestos are much likely to develop the cancer than non smokers with the same exposure. It is probably due to those cigarettes that were sold earlier by P. Lorillard Tobacco Company, which contained asbestos in the filters. Each cigarette contained approximately 10mg of asbestos material, putting these smokers at high risk for developing life threatening disease.

Since mesothelioma is incurable, but taking some precautionary steps will reduce your risk of exposure to asbestos, thereby decreasing your risk for developing mesothelioma.

Author Bio:
Rachel Smith is a web enthusiast and professional webmaster of MesotheliomaResourceOnline. She loves to write about mesothelioma research findings that help people and their loved ones suffering from mesothelioma.