Public Service Announcements

From: Samanta Catalano, Public Outreach Coordinator, Mesothelioma Awareness Organization

Women have been an integral part of our military for decades, serving their country in war and risking their lives for the safety and freedom of others. One might assume that the risks that these veterans faced while serving their country are quite obvious, but there are hidden perils that the majority of female veterans may not even be privy to. In fact, women veterans are often less knowledgeable of these dangers than their male counterparts because of an absence of quality healthcare for women who have served in the military.

The risk of asbestos exposure is one such hidden danger. Asbestos has been conclusively connected to the eventual development of

mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that attacks the lining of the body’s internal organs and has no cure. Veterans are at great risk of exposure to asbestos, perhaps even more so than the average person. Women who served in the military may have been exposed to asbestos while aboard military aircraft, while on naval ships, or while utilizing military artillery. Prior to the 1980’s, when the dangers of asbestos were finally recognized, asbestos was a widely used material in structural implements, such as insulation. Many military aircraft and the majority of naval ships contained dangerously high levels of asbestos. Certain weapons also contained asbestos, and veterans who may have come in contact with asbestos may have inhaled the tiny asbestos fibers unknowingly.

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and have a claw-like composition. If the asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, the fibers may become friable. Upon inhalation, the claw-like fibers can cling to the pleural lining of the lungs and lie latent for anywhere from 20 to 50 years before an individual will experience

mesothelioma symptoms. The prospect of mesothelioma is incredibly devastating for any veteran, especially a female veteran, who may leave behind her husband and children if she succumbs to this debilitating disease. Mesothelioma has a survival rate of less than 1%, and the majority of mesothelioma sufferers will lose their battle in less than two years following their diagnosis. There are mesothelioma treatment options, however, and doctors are continuously working towards new advancements in mesothelioma treatment.

Any female veteran who suspects that she may have been exposed to asbestos while serving our nation should consult a physician who specializes in pleural mesothelioma as soon as possible.

The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is the web’s foremost resource for information related to veterans and asbestos exposure. The MAA Center site also features comprehensive content related to mesothelioma and mesothelioma treatment options, as well as top physicians and support for veterans. For additional information, please visit the MAA Center site (www.maacenter.org).