Camp Lejeune: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma claims

Camp Lejeune: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma claims video

As a cancer that originates in the white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are part of the body's immune system, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurs in over 80,500 people every year in the U.S. It is significantly more prevalent than Hodgkin's lymphoma, accounting for up to 70% of cases. The disease has over 60 subtypes. While the most common causes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, and previous cancer treatment, a series of medical studies found that exposure to toxic agents can also result in this disease. A risk factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is benzene exposure, as the chemical can take a heavy toll on the lymphocytes and other blood compounds. The environment of Camp Lejeune abounded in benzene between 1953 and 1987. If you are a veteran who spent time at this military base and now struggle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, you should give our attorneys a call, as you might be entitled to compensation.

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Benzene exposure, a major risk factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in veterans

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the most prevalent type of blood cancer, and the number of people who develop it has been increasing ever since the 1970s. 1 in 50 Americans will develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at some point during their lifetime. While the risk increases with age, it also occurs in children and young adults.

The majority of people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are 65 or older. Still, when toxic exposure is the cause, the disease can occur at a considerably younger age.

One of the most common risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is exposure to certain toxic agents. Benzene, which was present in tremendous amounts at Camp Lejeune, is one of the chemicals responsible for the development of this cancer.

The researchers who led a study published in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention identified 43 case-control studies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma outcomes in workers with occupational exposure to benzene. Forty of these, or 93%, showed a significant elevation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk, with 23 of 43 studies finding statistically significant associations between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk and benzene exposure. They also identified 26 studies of petroleum refinery workers reporting morbidity or mortality for lymphomas and all neoplasms and found that in 23, or 88%, the rate of lymphoma morbidity or mortality was higher than that for all cancers.

Multiple other reputable studies have also found a connection between exposure to benzene and the occurrence of lymphoma in mice. Furthermore, since benzene is similar to alkylating drugs and radiation in triggering leukemia, it is plausible that it might also cause lymphoma, as they do so by similar mechanisms. Some of benzene's potential mechanisms of triggering non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are:

  • immunotoxicity
  • chromosomal damage
  • translocations
  • deletions

Finally, the researchers found that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a very aggressive subtype of this cancer, was more likely to be caused by benzene exposure. A significantly increased risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was observed for participants exposed to benzene at a medium-high probability level.

We can efficiently help you file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

For over 30 years, our skilled attorneys have been offering legal assistance to veterans whose health was affected by military toxic exposure. If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune and subsequently developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to drinking contaminated water, we encourage you to contact us, as you might be eligible for compensation and VA benefits. To file a claim as a veteran, you will have to retrieve your military records and your medical records and send these documents to our attorneys.

After we thoroughly assess your case, we will determine whether you qualify for filing a claim and if you do, our attorneys will begin preparing it for submission as soon as possible. Veterans who are too ill to participate in the legal process can ask a family member to help. Furthermore, our compassionate legal team will strive to make the process as easy to navigate as possible by taking care of the most difficult aspects. If you were stationed at another military base and now struggle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we might also be able to help you.