Mesothelioma. It’s a word that often gets tossed around, sometimes even as a joke or meme on social media. But behind that word lies a devastating reality (cancer) that has crushed families all across the country.
As a co-founder of the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, I feel it’s critically important to take the time to highlight the gravity of mesothelioma beyond its unfortunate notoriety as a subject for internet memes.
Real quick before I get on my soapbox.
My family has a history of service. My dad, who passed away from early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2019, was a Navy veteran, my dad’s brother (Uncle) was an Army Veteran, my grandfather served in the Korean War, I have two great grandfathers who fought in World War II, I have a great great Uncle who fought and died at The Battle of the Wilderness in Fredericksburg for the Union.
For anyone who doesn’t know me – I’m not a holier-than-thou kind of person.
And, maybe I should have written this four or five years ago, but this is just my attempt to inform and maybe even educate (I never said I was a smart man) someone out there who has no clue what mesothelioma is, outside of the jokes and memes on the internet.
If at any point I’m throwing stones in a glass house (maybe I already am?), you can leave and do something else, or let me know what I missed or am missing the point of down below in the comments, thank you – I appreciate your time.
Key Information About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Over the past three decades, it has claimed the lives of over 100,000 Americans’ lives; shockingly, more than 30,000 were U.S. veterans.
Yes, you read that right: after serving our country, veterans have been disproportionally affected by this deadly disease.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are four types of mesothelioma, each affecting different parts of the lining of certain parts in the body: Pleural (lungs), Peritoneal (abdomen), Pericardial (heart), and Testicular.
Causes
Asbestos exposure is the sole proven cause of malignant mesothelioma. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can mutate cells in the linings of vital organs, forming mesothelioma tumors.
The Impact on U.S. Veterans
The U.S. Navy carries the greatest risk of asbestos exposure among the various military branches. This isn’t a coincidence – between the 1930’s and 1980’s asbestos was widely used in the construction of naval vessels.
It was used in just about everything you can imagine. Some examples of where it was found on navy ships include:
- Adhesives
- Cables
- Caulk
- Electrical wiring
- Floor tiles
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Packing
- Paneling
- Piping
- Roofing and flooring tiles
- Thermal materials
- Tubing
- Valves
The consequences of this exposure are significant. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that usually develops over years or even decades after exposure to it.
Military Efforts in Asbestos Removal
During the 1980’s, significant strides were made in removing asbestos from military facilities and assets. Nonetheless, economic considerations and time constraints led to the retention of certain asbestos-containing products within bases and ships.
Even as recently as the early 2020’s, traces of asbestos have been discovered in older military bases. Fortunately, the risk of asbestos exposure remains minimal as long as these products remain undisturbed.
Personal Stories
I can’t stress enough how important it is to remember that mesothelioma isn’t just a meme or joke, it’s a life-altering diagnosis that affects real people and their loved ones.
Because of its rarity, mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose at first. Currently, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is through a biopsy. And, for most patients, this is after countless doctor visits and trying to figure out what is wrong with them.
Imagine being told that you only have 15 months left to live.
What would you do? How would you respond?
I doubt that most people know this, and I doubt they’d gleefully share “meso memes” if they knew the severity and abruptness with which mesothelioma rears its ugly head to victims.
Hope for Veterans
If you or someone you know is seeking more information about mesothelioma and how it affects veterans, please consider visiting the Mesothelioma Veterans Center website: MesotheliomaVeterans.org.
We’re here to provide information, resources, and support to veterans and their loved ones who are dealing with the challenges posed by mesothelioma.
I hope I was able to shed just a little bit of light on this disease and how awful it is. Mesothelioma isn’t just a meme or a punchline; it’s a harsh reality for patients and families, where one, is one too many.
References:
Mesothelioma Veterans Center (2023, July 23). Mesothelioma. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from: https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/mesothelioma/
Mesothelioma Veterans Center (2023, August 18). Mesothelioma and Veterans. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from: https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/veterans/
Mesothelioma Veterans Center (2023, August 4). Mesothelioma and Navy Veterans. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from: https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/veterans/navy/
Mesothelioma Veterans Center (2023, July 25). Mesothelioma and Navy Veterans. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from: https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/veterans/navy/ships/
Mesothelioma Hope (2023, May 19). Mesothelioma Biopsy. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from: https://www.mesotheliomahope.com/mesothelioma/diagnosis/biopsy/
Simmons Hanly Conroy (2023, September 7). Veterans & Mesothelioma. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from: https://www.simmonsfirm.com/mesothelioma/veterans/
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