Exposure to asbestos fibers is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Over the years, the deadly lung cancer has hit America’s veteran population the hardest, especially those who served in the Vietnam and World War II. That is because a large number of service members worked in shipyards during this time. Asbestos was a common shipbuilding material, and military members suffered daily exposure as part of their duties.
Navy veterans in particular suffered the highest levels of asbestos exposure. Locations such as boiler rooms, engine rooms and sleeping quarters contained dangerous asbestos levels. Even military staff located off the ships suffered second-hand exposure only to find out years later that they have mesothelioma. Second-hand exposure came from inhaling asbestos fibers from the clothes and hair of those who had first-hand exposure to asbestos.
What this means is that military members who served our county in the 1960’s and 1970’s are now finding out that they have mesothelioma. This type of cancer can lay dormant for several decades before symptoms manifest. It is common for patients and doctors to dismiss the symptoms for a far less serious condition such as influenza or bronchitis.
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