Asbestos exposure has become less common thanks to stricter regulations. Nonetheless, its ill effects still impact Pennsylvania, where there were asbestos-related deaths across 64 counties. From 1999 to 2017, the Environmental Working Group documented 17,717 deaths in the state due to asbestos, including 3,257 fatalities from mesothelioma.
Over 500 of those casualties occurred in Berks County, where asbestos-associated deaths average 26 per year. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. It is one of the more serious consequences of asbestos exposure, with a median survival rate of 15 months. Recognizing mesothelioma and accurately determining its progression is difficult, adding to its bleak outlook. Far too often, advanced cases are initially misdiagnosed as less severe than they are, leading to poor patient outcomes.
Veterans are particularly predisposed to developing mesothelioma. Each year, there are approximately 2,500 new cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma. Based on this figure, advocacy groups estimate that 30% are US veterans. Once valued for its heat-resistant, nonflammable, and insulating properties, asbestos was extensively used across military bases. Four of these installations are in Pennsylvania: Tobyhanna Army Depot, New Cumberland Army Depot, Letterkenny Army Depot, and Carlisle Barracks.
The best way to combat misdiagnosis among veterans is by practicing proactive patient care. Establishing a National Mesothelioma Registry with the names and details of at-risk military personnel is key since it would facilitate regular screening and early treatment.
In over 80% of stage 1 mesothelioma cases, clinicians later learned that the disease was more serious than preliminary assessments revealed. Misdiagnosis remains common across its other stages. Over 69% of stage 2, 35.4% of stage 3, and 12.8% of stage 4 cases were later reclassified.
Identifying mesothelioma and pinpointing its progression are challenging owing to its rarity, the symptoms it shares with more common diseases, and long latency period. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the cancer usually manifests 20 to 40 years after exposure, when it has reached a more advanced stage. Doctors may also struggle to identify the illness if it presents itself in atypical ways.
A deadly disease that is prone to misdiagnosis requires a proactive approach, prompt treatment, and extensive research. A National Mesothelioma Registry could be the much-needed catalyst for these measures. Such a database would minimize the disease’s impact, reduce misdiagnosis, and improve patient outcomes. It would identify vulnerable individuals among Pennsylvania’s over 656,000 veterans, including the estimated 19,224 former service members who live in Berks County.
With this centralized asset, at-risk individuals can be encouraged to attend regular, targeted screenings and receive treatment as soon as mesothelioma is detected. Rather than treating the cancer after it has spread and when remission is less likely, mesothelioma can be addressed at the onset as a proactive response to its surreptitious and deadly nature. Additionally, routine assessments can help confirm and track the cancer’s progression, providing doctors with more opportunities to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
This vital tool can also aid mesothelioma research. Currently, producing publicly available national census data on cancer cases takes two to three years. This long delay is a significant hurdle for medical researchers since most patients die before their health information can be examined. The availability of more information facilitates more studies and potential breakthroughs, giving our veterans access to higher-quality and more effective healthcare services. Research can lead to innovations in early detection, diagnostics, and treatment modalities, ultimately improving survival rates and how we manage mesothelioma.
Since veterans comprise a significant percentage of mesothelioma cases, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are the top candidates to spearhead the creation of a National Mesothelioma Registry. In addition to already handling various health registries, VA has access to service records and institutional knowledge, making the establishment of a nationwide mesothelioma database a natural extension of its duties.
Toxic exposure is irreversible, but we can support our veterans with proactive, quality healthcare — a goal that is more attainable with a National Mesothelioma Registry.
Jonathan Sharp is the Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a firm in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to helping victims of toxic exposure and their families get justice and rightful compensation.
Source: Berkshire mont
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