Military veterans comprise one of the highest risk groups for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma in the United States. It is estimated that many thousands of living American veterans were exposed to asbestos during their tours of duty. The impact of this tragedy has lately become obvious. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges a disproportionate number […]

If you received a transvaginal mesh (TVM) implant as treatment due to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI), it’s possible you will suffer or have suffered serious complications. Though these products have now been removed from the market as requested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they were previously popular […]

Every year around 125,000 Americans die from lung cancer. While the majority of victims develop cancer as a result of smoking, a significant portion are victims of exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos. Sadly, after asbestos exposure, the risk of lung cancer increases five-fold. Those who have worked in asbestos-using industries are particularly at […]

The Merchant Marine is a civilian fleet that carries imports and exports during peacetime, but it becomes an auxiliary branch of the Navy during wartime, delivering troops, munitions and supplies. During World War II, the U.S. Government determined what cargo was carried as well as the fleet’s destinations. The Government contracted with private companies to […]

Marines Were Continually Exposed to Asbestos Those who served in the Marine Corps were exposed to asbestos every day because it was extensively used in the cement pipes, ceiling tiles, wall insulation and roofing that were used to construct the barracks in which they lived. It was also built into the barrack’s foundation as well as the […]

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been used for over 40 years to help block blood clots that could cause a pulmonary embolism. Though at one point rarely used, the approval of removable IVC filters helped increase their popularity; around a quarter of a million Americans now have one of these devices. Unfortunately, thanks to […]

The most common form of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, originates in the tubes inside the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products. It accounts for about 95 percent of all kidney malignancies. Some important characteristics of the disease include no early warning signs, a number of symptoms that include: Blood in the […]

In a study titled Surgical Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma published online April 5, 2011 in Current Treatment Options in Oncology, authors Andrew Kaufman and Raja Flores note that even though surgery is an accepted form of treatment for pleural mesothelioma, controversy still exists as to whether it really does increase change of survival and whether […]

Asbestos exposure can cause medical conditions other than mesothelioma. Pleural plaques, like mesothelioma, usually develop after a latency period of at least 20 years. However, they have been reported cases in which the disease developed in less than ten years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Patients with pleural plaques do not exhibit any specific symptoms. […]

There two main groups of asbestos: Amphibole, which is characterized by straight, needle-like fibers. The commercial forms of amphibole include crocidolite or blue asbestos, and amosite or brown asbestos. Both of these forms are mined in South Africa and Australia. Serpentine, which is characterized by curly fibers. Chrysotile or white asbestos is the only form that is used commercially. It is […]