Mesothelioma is a rare and nearly always fatal variety of cancer. It grows and spreads aggressively, devastating anyone who develops the disease as well as the loved ones that surround them. The only positive aspect of the disease is that it occurs so rarely; there are only about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma every year.
However, military veterans are at greatly increased risk of developing mesothelioma, as they represent nearly a third of all new cases.
Why is this the case? And what can we do about it?
Veterans and Mesothelioma
The simple explanation is that asbestos was commonly used in military applications.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of various organs, potentially including the lungs, the abdomen, and the heart. The mesothelial lining typically develops cancer only in response to specific forms of irritation and inflammation; in fact, nearly all cases of mesothelioma are linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos itself is a very cheap, yet highly practical material that’s resistant to flames, highly insulative, and easy to work with. However, it’s also very hazardous; any disruption to this material can send tiny, jagged fibers into the air. If you breathe in or swallow these fibers, they can eventually work their way into the linings of your organs.
Starting around World War II, asbestos was commonly used in military applications, including housing, vehicles, aircraft, and countless other areas. While some efforts have been made to limit the development and use of this material, anyone who served in the military could potentially be at increased risk of both asbestos exposure and, subsequently, developing mesothelioma.
Keep in mind that mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to fully develop. In other words, even if you served in the military many decades ago, you could still be at risk of developing mesothelioma due to your asbestos exposure at the time.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma vary, depending on the location of the disease and the stage of advancement of the disease, as well as the individual. That said, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Nausea. In the early stages of mesothelioma’s development, you’ll likely experience nausea and you may have trouble eating comfortably.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss. In line with this, you may not feel hungry at all and you could experience unusual weight loss.
- Fatigue. Fatigue and chronic exhaustion are also common symptoms of every type of mesothelioma.
- Fever and night sweats. Mesothelioma can cause fever and lead to persistent night sweats.
- Shortness of breath and coughing. If you have pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs, you may experience respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing. This eventually leads to fluid buildup in the lungs.
- Abdominal pain. If you have peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdomen, you may experience especially pronounced abdominal pain.
As you can see, many of these symptoms are hard to concretely identify.
Treatment Options for Veterans
Veterans often qualify for benefits through several organizations and efforts, including through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), such as Disability Compensation, Pension, Aid, and Attendance, Housebound benefits, or VA Health Care. Depending on the stage and type of your mesothelioma, you may qualify for therapies like the following:
- Surgery. In some cases, mesothelioma segments can be removed with the help of surgery. However, because mesothelioma doesn’t manifest as discrete tumors, surgery is often difficult or complicated.
- Chemotherapy. For some patients, chemotherapy is the right approach, stifling the growth of this cancer and potentially shrinking it.
- Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is often an option for pleural mesothelioma, but may not be an option for peritoneal or other types of mesothelioma.
That said, mesothelioma can be complex and hard to treat. It’s also almost always fatal. Accordingly, sometimes palliative care is the only type of treatment available.
- Symptom management. Medical providers may prioritize reducing or eliminating specific symptoms, such as your fatigue or appetite loss.
- Pain reduction. A critical goal of palliative care is to reduce pain. This is especially important in the later stages of the disease, which can be quite painful if untreated.
- Communication and decision making. Doctors and supportive workers can aid you in communication and decision making, ensuring that you know all of your options – and that you fully understand what’s happening to you.
- Emotional/psychological support. It’s also important to get emotional and psychological support, as this is a deadly and devastating illness.
- Advanced care planning. Supportive care may also include advanced care planning, helping you prepare for the later, inevitable stages of mesothelioma’s development.
For many veterans, mesothelioma is a significant risk. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to asbestos in the military, it’s important to seek proactive care and take advantage of the benefits that are likely available to you.
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