Posts
A warm welcome and a huge thank you to my first ever guest author, US Navy Veteran Douglas Karr! Douglas Karr spent six years in the Navy, serving aboard the USS Spartanburg and the USS Coontz. He was honorably discharged from duty seventeen years ago, but he still devotes himself to improving the lives of veterans and service members! In addition to blogging for Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, and he is also manages an online social network for Navy Veterans, Making the Connection, his own online marketing agency, DK New Media.
Thank you for your service to our country!
Thank you for your service to our country!
Decades After Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure is a significant concern for veterans, although many people are not aware of the risks of asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are naturally occurring minerals that are extremely heat resistant. For many years, asbestos was used for insulation and other purposes, especially in cities and industrial areas. During World War II millions of military members were exposed to asbestos fibers. In the years after the war, the connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma was discovered. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lungs and abdomens of people who have breathed in asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma can strike years after exposure.
Asbestos exposure can also cause inflammation and scar tissue in the lungs, but the World Health Organization has classified it as a carcinogen, as have the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services. Those at greatest risk of asbestos-related cancer are people who have both been exposed to asbestos over a long period of time, and who smoke cigarettes. Veterans who are known or suspected to have been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking as soon as possible. Anyone who has worked in a milling, mining, shipbuilding, construction, insulation, or demolition may have been exposed to asbestos and be at risk for lung cancer and mesothelioma. Those who have worked on or served aboard a World War II-era ship are very likely to have been exposed to asbestos. The risk of mesothelioma navy workers face is often quite high.
Although many victims of mesothelioma do not receive a good prognosis, every case is different. Early detection is very important, and veterans who have been exposed to mesothelioma should be screened regularly for signs of lung disease. Dan, of Nebraska, has been living with mesothelioma for six years. An avid mountain biker even in his 60's, Dan thought he had a cold when he first started having trouble breathing. A chest x-ray to check for pneumonia revealed something far more severe. Dan believes his mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure when he worked in a shipyard in the 1970's. He has had several surgeries, radiation therapy, and has signed up to participate in clinical trials for new treatments. Dan has had to slow down a bit, but he still gets out on his bike whenever he gets the chance. According to Dan, the biggest change in his life has been his desire to educate others about the dangers of asbestos.
0 comments:
Post a Comment