Veterans of the United States Armed Forces who were exposed to asbestos during military service and were later diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease including gastrointestinal cancer may be eligible to receive compensation from Asbestos Trust Funds and Veterans Benefits Administration.
Veterans Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Cancer as a Result of Exposure to Asbestos
The primary route of entry into the body for asbestos fibers is inhalation, but asbestos particles can also be swallowed. Gastrointestinal cancer is most often caused by ingestion of asbestos fibers which can happen when people consume contaminated liquids such as water that flows through asbestos pipes.
Once these particles gain entry into the body, they can settle in the lungs or in the stomach where they can cause scarring and irritation that may lead to several malignancies including gastrointestinal cancer. Generally, the latency period for asbestos-related diseases falls between 20 to 50 years, and the illnesses often go undetected until they’ve reached advanced stages.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Misdiagnosis and Veterans with a History of Military Asbestos Exposure
Occasionally, there may be delays or even misdiagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer as the signs and symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease or peptic ulcers. Specifically for this reason, veterans may not recognize the problem as serious and may put off seeing a doctor.
Gastrointestinal cancer can affect a number of important organs and metastasize quickly. By being alert to the symptoms, it may be possible to detect gastrointestinal cancer before it has spread to other areas of the body. Do not ignore any sign such as abdominal pain, poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, or heartburn. If you experience any of these symptoms and have a history of military asbestos exposure, you should seek medical attention at your earliest convenience.
Receiving a wrong diagnosis and unsuitable treatment greatly affects your prognosis. We have a team of skilled specialists who are well equipped and experienced to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.
Serving Veterans as Well as They Served Us
If you have been diagnosed with a serious asbestos-related illness such as gastrointestinal cancer, you may recover your losses including treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering from Asbestos Trust Funds and VA benefits as well. We can help you gather all evidence needed to establish the eligibility for an asbestos trust claim and we can also answer any questions or concerns that you might have about your legal options.