By now, most of us have heard about mesothelioma, although there are a number of misconceptions around this deadly and rare form of cancer. You might understand that there’s some kind of correlation between mesothelioma and asbestos, or know that mesothelioma is a devastating condition.
But you may not realize that veterans are disproportionately likely to develop mesothelioma. Why exactly is this the case? And what can they do about it?
The High-Level View on Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that emerges almost exclusively in response to exposure to a specific type of hazard, which we call asbestos. Asbestos was an extremely useful construction material used in a variety of projects. It was extremely lightweight, cheap, abundant, and practical in terms of its insulating capacity and resistance to fire. However, builders and experts at the time didn’t realize that asbestos was full of tiny, jagged fibers that could lodge themselves in sensitive parts of your body.
Notably, these fibers can lodge themselves in the mesothelial lining of various organs. As you might have guessed, the mesothelial lining gives rise to the name mesothelioma, as this is where the cancer develops. Mesothelioma commonly affects the lungs, but it can also affect the abdomen and the heart, among other organs. After a latency period, mesothelioma begins to show symptoms and both grow and spread aggressively. There is no cure for mesothelioma, and it is considered a terminal disease, although many types of treatment can prolong your life if you have it.
Approximately one-third of people with mesothelioma are military veterans. This would be considered anomalous if it wasn’t for the fact that there’s a reasonable explanation for the disproportionate occurrence in this segment of the population.
Veteran Exposure to Asbestos
Why is it that veterans are more likely to get mesothelioma?
Put simply, it’s because military veterans are disproportionately likely to be exposed to asbestos, and because asbestos is a practical prerequisite for developing this rare type of cancer. Asbestos is often found in ships, in aircraft and in barracks, among other military applications. Even though asbestos is mostly outlawed at this point, it still lingers in many military buildings and facilities.
Additionally, military veterans may be more likely than the average person to travel abroad, and not all countries have laws and regulations protecting people from asbestos.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are a handful of main types of mesothelioma that veterans can develop:
- Pleural. Pleural mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the lungs, and it’s by far the most common type of this disease.
- Peritoneal. The next most common form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the mesothelial lining around the abdomen.
- Pericardial. Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for only about one percent of all mesothelioma cases, and it affects the heart.
- Testicular. Even fewer cases of mesothelioma affect the testicles.
Can You Treat Mesothelioma?
Is it possible to treat mesothelioma?
The short answer is yes, although it can be very difficult, and treatment methods may be limited. Much depends on your individual case.
- Surgery. Sometimes, mesothelioma is eligible for surgery. You may be able to remove the affected tissue and mitigate the spread of this cancer.
- Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy focuses on bolstering the immune system so it can do a better job of fighting the cancer.
- Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses a combination of drugs to kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells, including mesothelioma cells.
- Radiation therapy. Targeted radiation therapy can also kill or limit the growth of clusters of cancer cells.
- Experimental methods. Researchers are always trying to learn more about mesothelioma – and find better ways to treat it. You may be eligible for experimental treatment methods that could ameliorate your symptoms and provide researchers with valuable information simultaneously.
VA Health Care
Fortunately, the VA does offer some assistance to veterans who have developed mesothelioma as a result of their military service. The VA offers an option for free health insurance, which includes either very inexpensive or no copayments, for veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you enroll in this type of insurance, you’ll likely be eligible for mesothelioma treatment at one of several mesothelioma VA hospitals. It’s also possible to seek treatment with a civilian specialist, though you’ll need to get a referral to do it.
Do note that qualifying for this program is based on several criteria, and you’ll need to undergo an application and review process before you get access to these resources.
Hopefully, mesothelioma will one day be a thing of the past. Until then, military veterans will need to exercise additional caution and preparation to minimize their risks of developing mesothelioma, maximize their treatment options if they do have it, and act early to improve their prognosis.