Of all the illnesses caused by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, cancer has been one of the most prevalent. The three chemicals involved were found to be connected to many different types of cancers in adults, and children, including unborn children exposed in utero.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) found that Navy and USMC personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina had a 10% higher risk of dying from cancers than those stationed at Camp Pendleton (near Oceanside, CA.) As many as one million Marines, sailors, their families, and civilians were exposed to three highly toxic chemicals from 1953 through 1987.
Presumptive Cancers
There is a long list of conditions that are presumed to be connected to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. Individuals with one of these are presumed to have developed a cancerous condition after being stationed at Camp Lejeune:
- Bladder
- Breast (in both men and women)
- Central nervous systems
- Cervical
- Colon/colorectal
- Esophageal
- Kidney
- Leukemia
- Lung
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer in the lymph system)
- Prostate
- Soft tissue
These are just some of the cancerous conditions that are connected to Camp Lejeune.
Specific conditions
The chances of developing cancer increase with the length of exposure. The ASTDR study found that of all the related conditions, these were the highest risk of chemical-related cancers:
- Kidney cancer: 35%
- Liver cancer: 42%
- Hodgin’s lymphoma: 47%
- Multiple myeloma: 68%
The most common of these is cancer of the liver. Vinyl chloride, a chemical used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a commonly used plastic material, is a highly toxic and known carcinogen. It is easily absorbed through the skin, as well as the digestive system and the lungs. Following ingestion, vinyl chloride disrupts liver functioning by damaging DNA inside human cells. High amounts of vinyl chloride were found at Camp Lejeune.
You Can Still File Your Claim
Even if your condition isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim—you can. The cancers listed here are just some of the medical conditions that are directly or indirectly connected to water contamination.
If you became ill after living at Camp Lejeune during the affected period, contact us anyway, as your condition may be connected to the waterborne chemicals. It is possible that other conditions will be added to the list and recognized as presumptive.
You have less than a year before the deadline for filing your claim, so we strongly suggest contacting our office immediately. Ideally, your claim should be filed no later than July 2024.
Contact The Herren Law Firm Immediately For Your Camp Lejeune Claim
For over 30 years, the Herren law firm has helped veterans and other disabled people with their benefit claims and appeals. We have extensive experience dealing with governmental agencies and the claims that are filed with them.
If you or someone you know became ill after being stationed at Camp Lejeune, get in touch with us immediately.
We’ve helped over 4,000 people, and we can help you as well. Contact us today by calling (713) 682-8194 or using our online contact form our consultation is free, and you won’t owe us a fee until we win your case.
