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Vietnam Veterans and Asbestos Exposure: Important Health Information

By Samanth Catalano

The brave men who protected our freedom during the Vietnam War faced no shortage of occupational dangers. The risks associated with military conflict in an unstable and unfriendly nation may seem obvious, but there is also hidden danger. Exposure to asbestos is the only conclusive cause of mesothelioma cancer, and hundreds of US military veterans have been diagnosed as a result of exposure while on active duty.

Veterans were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos in several ways, but the majority of veterans were exposed while aboard naval ships and military aircraft. Asbestos was widely used in the form of piping insulation prior to the institution of asbestos usage regulations by the federal government in the early 1980s. Asbestos insulation was a perfect choice for naval ships and aircraft. Damaged or disturbed it becomes a serious health hazard. Damaged asbestos-containing insulation can release tiny asbestos fibers into the air. If inhaled, the fibers can situate inside the lining of the lungs for decades before the afflicted individual may begin to suffer from common mesothelioma symptoms, such as dysphagia, difficulty breathing and chest pain.

Veterans who receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, are generally between the ages of 50 and 70, as the latency period associated with this disease is between 20 and 50 years. Once diagnosed, the vast majority of mesothelioma patients will lose their battle with this particularly aggressive type of cancer in less than 2 years, and less than 1% will survive. There is presently no cure. Veterans who suspect that they may have been exposed to asbestos while serving in the US military should consult with a doctor to determine their risk of developing mesothelioma. There is medical and financial assistance available specifically for veterans who are diagnosed with this debilitating disease, and there are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options available for those suffering from the disease, such as chemotherapy and radiation.

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center (MAA Center) is the web's foremost resource for information regarding veteran asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer. The MAA Center is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) as a trustworthy and reliable source of medical information on the Internet. For further information, please visit www.maacenter.org.