Friday, May 31, 2013

Protecting Veterans From Mesothelioma-Veterans Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a protective layer surrounding the organs of the body. It's since been determined that there is a direct correlation between asbestos exposure & a person's likelihood of developing mesothelioma.

In recent news, a San Francisco-based chemical risk assessment company claims that the United States Navy was ahead of the game when they tried to protect veterans & civilians from mesothelioma back in the 1960s. At that time, U.S. Naval ships were heavily loaded with asbestos, making Navy servicemen among the most common victims of mesothelioma.

Understanding the Risks Associated with Asbestos-Veterans Mesothelioma

Researchers, Kara Franke & Dennis Paustenbach, examined dozens of published & unpublished documents on asbestos knowledge between the years of 1900 to 1970, & could choose that the Navy actually understood the health hazards of asbestos as far back as the 1930's. However, despite the known risks & dangers of asbestos, the Navy continued to require its use on ships. The Navy also recommended that definite precautions be taken in order to handle asbestos-laden materials more carefully. After mesothelioma was clearly linked to asbestos in the 1960's, the ChemRisk researchers claimed that the Navy "attempted to implement procedures that would minimize the chance for adverse effects on both servicemen & civilians."

 Little; Late--Veterans Mesothelioma

Despite precautions taken by the U.S. Navy, countless U.S. Naval veterans have subsequently developed mesothelioma. Part of the inherent danger associated with mesothelioma stems from its latency period where it can take as long as 40 years to even become symptomatic after asbestos exposure. For plenty of Naval veterans, this meant that they had already set themselves up for the likelihood that they would create mesothelioma based on their earlier asbestos exposure in the coursework of the 1940's & 1950's. Additionally, thousands of people working in other non-Naval industries were also exposed to asbestos & have the potential to create mesothelioma either because their employers were unaware of the dangers, or because they mindfully chosen to ignore the growing facts of the material's toxicity & carcinogenicity.

Treating Mesothelioma in the U.S. Today--Veterans Mesothelioma

The results of Franke & Paustenbach's study was published in the journal Inhalation Toxicology, & said that, by as early as 1930, "it was clear that occupational exposure to asbestos caused a matchless disease (asbestosis)". Understanding of asbestos increased steadily between about 1938 & 1965 in the coursework of which time "a considerable amount of exposure & epidemiology information was collected" by private & government scientists. Franke & Paustenbach's study was recently introduced at the 21st annual International Society of Exposure Science meeting in Baltimore. Maryland.
Today, in the United States alone, over two,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. & while the treatments for some forms of cancer are improving, the prognosis for those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma is still challenging. Today, multi-modality treatments, immune therapies & gene therapies are being inquired in to as potential therapeutic modalities for mesothelioma victims.

Disclaimer:  Veterans Mesothelioma
The knowledge in this article is for educational & informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Myra D. Foreman writes for Surviving Mesothelioma-Veterans Mesothelioma
 This is the only net site where this important book is obtainable free. The book is written by Paul Kraus who was diagnosed with mesothelioma over a decade ago & is still enjoying life today

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