Camp Lejeune: Prostate cancer claims

Veterans who spent time at Camp Lejeune have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer

A study from the medical journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine examined the association between exposure to benzene and prostate cancer. The researchers found prostate cancer risk to be significantly high among men older than 25 at substantial benzene exposure levels.

Furthermore, a study published in Environmental Epidemiology revealed a positive association between prostate cancer and exposure to benzene and ethylbenzene. A two-fold excess in the odds of developing prostate cancer was observed. The number of study participants was 3,987, out of whom 1,172 had prostate cancer. Another study from Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that a high duration and level of exposure to benzene, xylene, or styrene may increase the risk of non-aggressive prostate cancer.

If you are a veteran who spent time at Camp Lejeune and suspect you have prostate cancer, it is essential to be aware of the early signs, as when the disease is diagnosed in advanced stages, the survival rate drops to 28%. 

Exposure to trichloroethylene is associated with excess incidences of prostate cancer

It was also found that exposure to high levels of trichloroethylene is associated with prostate cancer among workers in a study from the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. The study analyzed workers’ exposure to a range of occupational chemicals between 1950 and 1992. After adjusting for confounding factors, researchers noted a positive correlation between TCE exposure and prostate cancer incidence.