According to claims in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit, the military base’s water supply was severely contaminated with hazardous industrial chemicals. Exposure to these chemicals could lead to various cancers and other diseases.
People who lived or worked at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between 1953 and 1987 may have been exposed to water contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Health Conditions Associated with the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
Some health conditions associated with exposure to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune include:
1. Bladder Cancer
Researchers believe that persons exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may have an elevated risk of malignant cells growing in the tissues of their bladders, or bladder cancer.
Many people have additional risk factors. Age, gender, smoking status, and contact with chemicals in the environment are a few of the risk factors. Older adults are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer because their bodies have had more time to develop cellular abnormalities.
Although bladder cancer does not have an absolute cure, early detection and treatment can increase chances of survival and lessen symptoms. Lifestyle changes and regular screenings are proactive efforts to safeguard the health of those with high risk of bladder cancer.
2. Breast Cancer
The second most common ailment associated with the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is breast cancer. According to studies, women who drank Camp Lejeune’s tainted water have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer over women who were not exposed to the water.
Numerous factors could be the cause of this elevated risk. According to one theory, the toxins in the water can interfere with the breasts’ regular function and raise their chance of developing cancer. Another theory is that the pollutants could harm DNA, causing cancer to develop.
There are many symptoms that women need to be aware of, including: nipple discharge, a lump in the breast, a change in the size or form of the breasts, and a change in the texture of the skin of the breasts. It is critical to schedule an immediate appointment with a doctor if you encounter any of these signs.
3. Cervical Cancer
Another malignancy associated with exposure to the tainted water at Camp Lejeune is cervical cancer. This type of cancer grows in the tissues of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that causes cervical cancer. Researchers believe the tainted water at Camp Lejeune may have raised the risk of cervical cancer by exposing women to HPV.
Cervical cancer has a multitude of symptoms. These include pain during sexual intercourse, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after sexual intercourse.
4. Renal Cancer
Renal cancer starts in the kidney. It then migrates to other parts of the body. The kidneys are a pair of organs that filter waste from the blood and eliminate it from the body.
Water containing hazardous chemicals increases people’s risk of renal cancer. This is because the toxins enter the bloodstream, and the kidneys then filter the blood. During filtering, some residues may remain in the kidneys and cause uninhibited cell proliferation leading to cancer.
Blood in the urine, side soreness, and an abdominal lump are all signs of kidney cancer. If any of these signs develop, it is critical to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
5. Hepatic Cancer
Camp Lejeune’s polluted water supply is also connected to a high risk of hepatic/liver cancer. According to research conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), males who drank Camp Lejeune’s tainted water had a twofold increased risk of developing liver cancer when compared to men who did not drink the water.
It is believed that people ingested toxins including benzene and trichloroethylene through contaminated water, increasing their risk of developing liver cancer. These substances have the potential to harm DNA and cause cancer.
There are several signs and symptoms of liver cancer including: loss of appetite, exhaustion, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
Summary
Other cancers on the list of diseases caused by consuming Camp Lejeune water include leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, esophageal cancer, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Other non-malignant diseases that have come up in the Camp Lejeune lawsuits are Parkinson’s disease, fatty liver disease, female infertility, cardiac defects, neurobehavioral defects, teratogenicity, miscarriages, and scleroderma.
This list may be updated as researchers publish new studies on illnesses caused by drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
Lawyers are also taking complaints from children who were born after their mothers were at the base working or living while the water was poisoned. Children and fetuses exposed to contaminated water were at exceptionally high risk for health problems.
Conclusion
People exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune but who have not been diagnosed with an illness may still be entitled to compensation at lower levels. This includes participation in a class action lawsuit, medical monitoring, and any cancer or serious illness not explicitly mentioned.
See a doctor immediately if you had a job or were at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and have any health problems.
