Mesothelioma & Army Veterans

Mesothelioma & Army veterans - resources for patients and their families

Many Army servicemen and women who were in the ranks during the period from World War II into the 1970s were exposed to asbestos and asbestos products. The most serious health concern a veteran or civilian can have from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a form of cancer that usually develops in the lungs. Veterans of the Army and other service members wishing to obtain more information on products that are known to have contained asbestos may complete the form on the left to receive an Asbestos Sourcebook.

We now know that all branches of the United States military have used asbestos. Asbestos exposure was especially common for service members since it was used throughout ships and machinery from the 1930s through the 1970s. Pipes, gaskets, and many other ship parts and machinery contained asbestos.

Shipyard workers, in particular, are at great risk for mesothelioma because they worked directly with asbestos when building ships and salvaging parts. Veterans who served in the Navy on a ship were indeed hard hit, and many now have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer. This is because asbestos was used extensively throughout Navy vessels. These ships were large, providing base and transportation for more than just Navy men, however, so other branches of the military likely experienced asbestos exposure on these ships.

The Veterans Administration (VA) acknowledges that mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer diagnosed in certain veterans were caused by their military service. In such cases, disability compensation can be awarded.

The following are the health problems that have been linked to asbestos exposure: lung cancer, asbestosis (a serious, chronic, non cancerous fibrous hardening and scarring of the lungs), mesothelioma (a very aggressive asbestos cancer of the thin membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities and surrounding internal organs), and pleural plaque and thickening (scarring of the lining of the lung).

Weitz & Luxenberg would like to help Army veterans seeking mesothelioma treatments and their families during this difficult time by offering a free Asbestos Sourcebook, which contains information about the best mesothelioma doctors, frequently asked questions about the history of asbestos and its uses; an overview of asbestos illnesses, and some of the treatments available for mesothelioma. Please click on this link for your copy.