Mesothelioma Blog

A number of substances used during historical war times have been known to be hazardous to veterans’ health, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Oftentimes, veterans exposed to these substances develop cancer later in their lifetimes. Two such substances linked to cancer include ionizing radiation and Agent Orange.

Ionizing Radiation

Presently, ionizing radiation is used in a number of medical treatments and tests, including CT scans, x-rays and mammograms. However, high levels of ionizing radiation have been known to cause cancer. For some veterans, unhealthy exposure to ionizing radiation may have resulted from contact with nuclear weapons or fallout from such weapons.

Those who served in Japan during World War II or were present for nuclear weapons testing between 1945 and 1962 are at the highest risk for exposure to ionizing radiation.

A number of types of cancers have been linked to ionizing radiation, including, breast, thyroid, stomach, bladder, lung, colon and brain. For a full list of cancers linked to ionizing radiation, please view the VA’s Diseases Associated with Ionizing Radiation Exposure.

Agent Orange

Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used extensively during the Vietnam War. Approximately 20 million gallons of the substance was sprayed throughout the Vietnam jungle to kill plants and expose enemy hiding places. Among the many chemicals present in Agent Orange is dioxin, a substance recently linked to numerous long-term health conditions.

Several studies conducted by the VA, Centers for Disease Control and other agencies have linked Agent Orange to such cancers as lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, soft-tissue sarcoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. For a full list of illnesses related to Agent Orange, please see the VA’s Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure.

Veteran Affairs Benefits

The VA offers health care benefits for those veterans exposed to either ionizing radiation or Agent Orange. If a veteran has been diagnosed with one of the cancers linked to these substances and documentation can be provided that indicates wartime exposure, then the individual is eligible for such benefits. Both medical and financial treatment may be available.

Additionally, veterans exposed to ionizing radiation or Agent Orange are eligible for free health examinations. These health examinations may help identify and diagnose any potential cancers so that proper treatment can be initiated.

Resources:
 http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Ca…
 http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Ca…