New Report Notes Mesothelioma Risk Among North Carolina Firefighters
According to an April 2021 report from the North Carolina Insurance Commissioners Office, mesothelioma and prostate cancer were the most common forms of this cancer that affected firefighters in the state. This data comes after the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner started a cancer registry within the Office of State Fire Marshal in March 2021.
So far, there were 8 reported cases of mesothelioma and 8 cases of prostate cancer. The only other category with a higher reported number of cases was the other cancers category, with 14 cases.
This is alarming, but important information. Mesothelioma is a rare and incurable form of cancer. Modern-day firefighters are at risk of mesothelioma if theyre exposed to asbestos by putting out fires in older buildings.
Hopefully, the state of North Carolina can use this data to accommodate the needs of firefighters with mesothelioma and others who are also at risk, such as U.S. veterans in the future.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, learn what options are available to you with a free veterans packet.
Asbestos Exposure In Aircraft And Vehicle Mechanics
Aircraft and vehicle mechanics are also at a serious risk of developing asbestos-related injury due to frequent asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in brake pads, clutches, gaskets, paint and sealants, wire, tape, wraps, adhesives, and other materials regularly used.
The hazard was particularly high when replacing brake pads and gaskets, and cutting insulating tape or wraps.
B Definition Of Service At Camp Lejeune
VA received seven comments concerning the definition of service at Camp Lejeune for the purposes of establishing entitlement to disability benefits on a presumptive basis, as contained in proposed §3.307. These comments suggested that the rule make reference to specific locations within the borders of Camp Lejeune, some of which may be considered satellite camps/locations. One commenter noted that veterans may have lived in one of the specified satellite camps/locations while assigned to Camp Lejeune, or vice versa. Another commenter stated that listing specific satellite locations included within the definition of Camp Lejeune would avoid confusion for eligible veterans and minimize the risk of improper denials by claims processors who may not be aware of the satellite camps/locations. One commenter stated that the proposed rule did not include Marine Corps Air Station New River. Legal Counsel for the Elderly stated the presumption should extend to those who served in circumstances âlikelyâ to have resulted in exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. This comment gave examples of those who served in training exercises or ships outside of Camp Lejeune but âlikelyâ used water drawn from Camp Lejeune. An additional comment referenced Navy Amphibious Forces that docked at Camp Lejeune and most likely took on board fresh water from the Camp.
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Veteran Asbestos Exposure Help
Individuals who have experienced asbestos exposure in the military and have developed asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, throat or digestive tract cancers, or other asbestos-related conditions subsequently, can file a claim to qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs .
- Health care costs
- Dependency and indemnity compensation
- V.A. burial benefits
Obtaining benefits requires you to file a qualifying claim alongside documentation that supports your exposure and subsequent diagnosis. The claims process can take a few years to receive approval, which makes it advantageous to submit your claim as soon as possible.
Ground Zero And Prostate Cancer
If you were there at Ground Zero in New York City on 9/11, you breathed it in. If you were in one of the World Trade Center towers when it happened, or a first responder on the scene soon afterward, you breathed in more of it. And because of that, if you are a man, you now have a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.
What was in the air that day, as jets burned and the towers fell? Basically, in all the devastation, a terrible dust cloud was unleashed: a vile, noxious brew of soot, benzene, asbestos, cement, PCBs, PAHs, dioxin, and other toxic agents. Individually, many of these are known carcinogens. Together, these foul ingredients acted like lighter fluid for inflammation in those exposed to them. And guess where the Ground Zero for inflammation seems to be in men? The prostate.
How could they be sure this cancer was somehow linked to exposure to the awful dust? We took some of the material that was collected a few days after 9/11, and exposed rats to it in sealed air chambers, says Oh. The rats were exposed to the dust and they inhaled the dust. Then Oh and colleagues looked at the rats prostates at various time points afterward. After just a few hours of exposure, within a day, and within a month, there was an increase in inflammation in the rat prostate. Just after inhaling the World Trade Center dust, they had increased inflammation in their prostates.
- Copied
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How Can Workers Protect Themselves From Asbestos Exposure
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a component of the U.S. Department of Labor and is the Federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in maritime, construction, manufacturing, and service workplaces. OSHA established regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job, specifically in construction work, shipyards, and general industry, that employers are required to follow. In addition, the Mine Safety and Health Administration , another component of DOL, enforces regulations related to mine safety. Workers should use all protective equipment provided by their employers and follow recommended workplace practices and safety procedures. For example, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health -approved respirators that fit properly should be worn by workers when required.
Workers who are concerned about asbestos exposure in the workplace should discuss the situation with other employees, their employee health and safety representative, and their employers. If necessary, OSHA can provide more information or make an inspection. Information about regional offices can also be found on OSHAs website at .
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Asbestos Exposure In Boiler Workers
Boiler technicians and other boiler workers are responsible for operating and maintaining hot water systems on gravity-fed steamships. They were at a significantly high risk during their deployment of asbestos exposure in the military since they worked in poorly ventilated areas and wore no protective gear.
These tasks caused them to work in restricted areas and to use products which commonly contained asbestos like pumps, insulation, valves, and coatings. It resulted in mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos related diseases to develop in these individuals 20 to 50 years later.
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Are You A Veteran Who Was Exposed To Asbestos
If you are a United States Military veteran who experienced asbestos exposure and received a medical diagnosis for asbestosis, mesothelioma, or an asbestos-related cancer you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your losses.
Surviving family members can also file a claim on behalf of the exposed individual if he or she experienced a loss of life from an asbestos-related illness.
Can Asbestos Cause Breast Cancer
According to the National Center for Biotechnology , there is a possible link between exposure to asbestos and an elevated risk for carcinoma of the breast, though the extent of this correlation is not yet fully understood.
Some studies have determined that there are higher rates of breast cancer among women who have been exposed to asbestos however, this link has not been conclusively proven. Researchers are still determining how asbestos can affect breast tissue in both women and men.
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Stage 4 Lung Cancer Survival Rates
One of the most staggering lung cancer statistics is that its the most common cancer in the U.S. and the deadliest cancer among men and women. After a late-stage lung cancer diagnosis, many patients search for information on current survival rates. One thing to keep in mind is that survival rates are only estimates, and everyone responds to cancer and treatment in different ways. Clinical trials are continuously improving stage 4 lung cancer survival rates.
Survival rate data has a lag time of several years as researchers monitor patients over long periods. Current survival rates typically reflect statistics over the last five years. Emerging treatments and clinical trials may offer improved life expectancies.
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 5-Year Survival Rate
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Approximately 7% of stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients survive five years from the time of their diagnosis, according to the National Cancer Institutes SEER database.
- Small Cell Lung Cancer 5-Year Survival Rate
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Approximately 3% of distant-stage small cell lung cancer patients survive five years from the time of their diagnosis.
- Lung Cancer Survival Time
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The average survival time following a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis ranges from 6.3 months to 11.4 months, depending on cell type and treatment response.
Incidence Of Prostate Cancer
Among 723,566 male participants, 15,687 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. Results were expressed with SIR in 9 studies,,,,,,,,, ranging from 0.70 to 2.47 with SMR in 19 studies with SRR in 1 study and with HR in 1 study. Eight studies found an increased risk of prostate cancer,,,,,, with a risk from 1.06 to 2.91 . Twenty-five studies did not retrieve an increased risk of prostate cancer,,,,,, with a nonsignificant risk from 0.70 to 2.56 .
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Understanding Asbestos Exposure On Navy Ships
Starting in the 1930s, the U.S. military began using a fibrous miracle mineral called asbestos in its vessels. Since asbestos was cheap, water-resistant, and a good fireproofing agent, the government mandated that all Naval vessels use it for decades.
What Navy service members didnt know is that asbestos exposure can cause the deadly cancer mesothelioma. Makers of asbestos-based products hid the health risks from the military and the public to keep profits high.
Due to widespread military asbestos use, 33% of all mesothelioma patients today are veterans. Navy veterans have the highest risk of mesothelioma since this branch used more asbestos-based products than any other.
Thankfully, VA benefits and legal options can help Navy veterans and their loved ones get compensation and medical care.
Get our Free Navy Ships Guide to learn more about asbestos on military ships and your options if exposed.
Whats The Link Between Asbestos And Talc
Asbestos is a group of minerals similar to talc that is also mined. Itâs often found in the same area as talc. Sometimes, asbestos can mix with talc as itâs mined and processed.
Asbestos is known to raise the risk of cancer in people who breathe it in. Thatâs why itâs important for cosmetics companies to choose mining sites with care and test their talc regularly, especially for asbestos. In 1976, a large cosmetics trade group issued guidelines that said all U.S. cosmetic products should be free of detectable amounts of asbestos.
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What Kind Of Cancers Can Asbestos Exposure Cause
Posted on September 28th, 2016
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you need to watch out for signs and symptoms of cancer. Around 20% of those who were exposed to asbestos will develop a related disease in the future and, in most cases, the disease will affect the lungs.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer published in 2012 that exposure to asbestos can lead to deadly conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening and several other types of cancers. The growth of abnormal cells usually occurs when healthy cells become damaged after being exposed to a carcinogen.
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Asbestos Exposure In Pipefitters And Insulators
Shipfitters, pipefitters, and insulators are a very high-risk exposure group. They used cutting, sanding, and grinding tools on materials that contained asbestos, releasing the asbestos fibers into the air that they then unknowingly inhaled. Between 10 and 50 years can pass before shipfitters and pipefitters begin to exhibit symptoms and receive a diagnosis.
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Millions Of Veterans Exposed To Asbestos
Veterans account for approximately 30 percent of all asbestos-related diagnoses in the United States each year, according to the VA.
A large part of this is because of the equipment service members used. The majority of new diagnoses are Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos lagging, gaskets and insulation while serving aboard ships.
Other high-exposure military occupations include all types of mechanics and crewmen on vehicles that contained asbestos friction components and fireproofing materials. This includes wheeled and tracked vehicles as well as rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
The use of asbestos continued throughout the 1970s and in many applications well into the 1980s. Millions of veterans were exposed to asbestos during this time.
Who Is At Risk For An Asbestos
Everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during their life. Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact.
Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos. Health hazards from asbestos fibers have been recognized in workers exposed in the shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, asbestos removal workers, firefighters, and automobile workers also may be exposed to asbestos fibers. Studies evaluating the cancer risk experienced by automobile mechanics exposed to asbestos through brake repair are limited, but the overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure . As a result of government regulations and improved work practices, todays workers are likely to face smaller risks than did those exposed in the past.
Cases of mesothelioma have also been seen in individuals without occupational asbestos exposure who live close to asbestos mines .
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Stage 4 Lung Cancer Symptoms
Asbestos cancer develops slowly over many years. Once malignant tumors have formed in the lungs, symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and chest pain become more noticeable.
Lung cancer symptoms depend on location and stage rather than the cancer cause or cell type. In stage 4 lung cancer, symptoms are often severe and involve areas outside the chest, such as the brain or kidneys.
Common Symptoms of Stage 4 Lung Cancer
- Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths
- Coughing up blood
- Ethnicity
- Cancer type and stage
Every patient is different when it comes to cancer progression and diagnosis. Speaking with a specialist about potential risk factors is the best way to determine when to start lung cancer screenings.
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We Will Prove The Correlation Between The Disease And Asbestos Exposure
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes most diseases resulting from military asbestos exposure as a form of disability, which may affect veterans who served during the last century. Accordingly, veterans can file a VA disability compensation claim for both malignant and non-malignant diseases. Furthermore, if a veteran suffers from multiple illnesses as a consequence of asbestos exposure, they can request financial compensation for each. For instance, the co-occurrence of asbestosis with colorectal cancer, which is not uncommon among victims of asbestos exposure, grants veterans the right to apply for VA disability compensation twice.
Veterans can also file for asbestos trust funds compensation in addition to their VA claims. Prolonged exposure to asbestos products can lead to various illnesses and in order to file a claim, you must be suffering from a ‘diagnosed condition’. VA claims often get denied because of insufficient proof of a correlation between your condition and exposure to toxic asbestos fibers during service. Our team consists of medical experts and toxicologists who offer free asbestos screenings to veterans and their families at our location in Birmingham.
One of the following asbestos-related diseases makes a veteran eligible for filing a VA disability compensation claim:
Disclaimer: The amount of compensation depends on many factors, these are estimates we gathered from our own database.
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Leaders In Prostate And Genitourinary Cancer Treatment
The Urologic Tumor Center is the only comprehensive diagnostic and treatment group for a prostate and genitourinary cancers, in the Richmond area. It is staffed by leading specialists who also conduct research that leads to improved treatments. You can see these specialists in one place at one time, eliminating visits to several doctors offices and long delays in decisions about your care. By working together and pooling their expertise, blood cancer treatment team doctors can make the best decisions and give you the most comprehensive advice and information.
Asbestos Cancer Risk Factors
Simply being exposed to asbestos is only one part of a much larger issue. While anyone who has been exposed to asbestos is at risk of developing cancer, some factors increase your risk.
These factors include:
- Repeated asbestos exposure: Statistically speaking, people who regularly came into contact with asbestos fibers are at a higher risk of developing cancer. Repeated exposure typically comes from working at a certain kind of job site. However, it may also come from a school or home. The greatest risk is for those who were regularly exposed over several months or years.
- Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use: Though not direct causes of asbestos-related cancers, tobacco and drug use, smoking, and drinking alcohol, can increase a persons odds of developing asbestos-related cancers when they have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
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