Although rare, mesothelioma
affects veterans from all branches of service: Army, Navy, Air Force and
Marines. As mesothelioma has a long latency period and can remain dormant for
several decades, veterans who served our country from 1930 through 1980 are
just now being diagnosed with the disease.
Navy veterans who worked in navy
shipyards and or served on our nation's warships and submarine's from WWII
through the Vietnam War were exposed to high concentrations of deadly asbestos
and are at a high risk for developing mesothelioma. Boiler rooms, engine rooms,
sleeping quarters, and other areas of naval vessels were the most common areas
where asbestos was present. As a result, Navy veterans are at a greater risk of
developing mesothelioma. Medical support and treatment centers are available to
veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you are a veteran and
believe that you were exposed to asbestos, you should inform your physician
during your next visit.