Throat Cancer Risk Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Veterans, former residents, and civilian workers at Camp Lejeune were exposed to highly toxic substances in the drinking water for over 30 years.

The toxic substances in the water at Camp Lejeune have been known to cause severe health problems, including throat cancer.

As mentioned, the ATSDR investigated cancer rates at Camp Lejeune compared to those at Camp Pendleton during the same period.

The Cancer Incidence Study revealed that individuals exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune had an increased risk of developing throat cancer compared to those at Camp Pendleton during the same period.

Brown University disease researcher David Savitz is consulting for Camp Lejeune plaintiff’s lawyers relayed to Time Magazine that the study will “add weight to arguments made on behalf of people who got sick after living and working on the base”.

About Throat Cancer

Throat cancer refers to malignant tumors that develop in the throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), or tonsils.

There are different types of throat cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the flat cells lining the throat, and adenocarcinoma, which affects the glandular cells.

Throat cancer can cause symptoms such as a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, changes in voice, including hoarseness, and unexplained weight loss.

The effects of throat cancer on patients can significantly impact their quality of life, leading to challenges in speaking, breathing, and eating.

Advanced treatments and rehabilitation can help manage these effects, but early detection is crucial for improving outcomes and preserving function.

Throat Cancer and its Causes

The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with several chemical contaminants, including trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride, which are known carcinogens.

These substances have been linked to an increased risk of various types of cancers, including throat cancer, as prolonged exposure to these chemicals can damage the DNA in cells of the throat, leading to cancerous mutations.

Studies have highlighted the potential relationship between exposure to such toxic chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune and a higher incidence of throat cancer among veterans and their families who lived and worked on the base.

Other possible causes of throat cancer include:

• Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco, is among the most significant risk factors for throat cancer.
• Excessive alcohol consumption is also known to significantly increase the risk of developing throat cancer, particularly when combined with tobacco use.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as a leading cause of certain types of throat cancer, especially those affecting the oropharynx.
• A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables and chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been identified as potential contributors to the development of throat cancer.

Throat Cancer Complications

Throat cancer can lead to several complications, affecting a patient’s ability to speak, swallow, and breathe.

In advanced stages, throat cancer may cause significant weight loss and malnutrition due to difficulties in consuming solid foods, requiring dietary modifications or feeding tubes for nutrition.

Some patients may experience severe pain or discomfort in the throat area, impacting their quality of life.

Treatment for throat cancer, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, can also result in long-term side effects such as changes in voice quality, dry mouth, or thyroid dysfunction.

The risk of secondary cancers in the head and neck region increases after treatment for throat cancer, necessitating ongoing monitoring and health care.

What Types of Throat Cancer are Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?

The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been associated with an increased risk of various types of throat cancer among those exposed to the toxic substances present in the water supply.

The specific types of throat cancer linked to this exposure include:

• Laryngeal cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer

These cancers affect different parts of the throat and are concerning due to their potential connection with the hazardous chemicals found in Camp Lejeune’s water, such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE).

Esophageal cancer, while closely related to cancers that affect the throat and linked to water contamination at the Marine Corps base, is classified separately from laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers.

Throat cancers typically refer to malignancies found in the pharynx or larynx.

Esophageal cancer occurs in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

While esophageal cancer is part of the broader category of cancers affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract and the area near the throat, it is not classified under the term “throat cancer” in a strict medical sense.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

Camp Lejeune personnel, family members, civilian workers, and others who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may have been exposed to highly toxic substances in the drinking water supply.

Cancer causing chemicals leaking from an off base dry cleaner, underground fuel storage tanks, and other sources entered the water supply and exposed thousands of individuals.

Governmental and Camp Lejeune officials knew about the rampant water contamination for years, but failed to act.

Several pieces of legislation have attempted to secure justice, health care benefits, and other forms of restitution to victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination, but none had been able to fully address the scope of the issue.

It wasn’t until the Camp Lejeune Justice Act that a legal framework was established for victims to seek compensation from the federal government.

Signed into law under the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, allows victims to file administrative claims for compensation.

If the Navy JAG denies a victim’s claim, or fails to adjudicate a claim within six months of submission, victims are able to file Camp Lejeune Lawsuits in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Federal Court will handle all Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits.

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune Marine Base for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim.

Contact our law firm for a free consultation, or use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit instantly.

What Chemicals were in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune?

The water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with several hazardous chemicals, leading to significant health concerns for those exposed.

The primary contaminants identified in the water supply were:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Perchloroethylene (PCE)
• Benzene
• Vinyl chloride

These chemicals, commonly used in industrial applications such as dry cleaning and degreasing of metal parts, are known carcinogens and have been linked to various health issues.

The presence of these substances in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune raises serious concerns about long-term health effects on veterans, their families, and civilian workers who lived or worked at the base during the contamination period.

Health Risks of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The water contamination at Camp Lejeune exposed residents, including military personnel and their families, to a variety of toxic chemicals, leading to significant health risks.

Investigations and studies have linked exposure to the contaminated water to several serious health conditions, including:

• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Throat cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Adult leukemia
• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Lung cancer
• Birth defects
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Kidney disease

Scientific studies conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal health officials, cancer registries, and independent research entities have consistently found elevated risks of these conditions among those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune compared to unexposed populations.

The ATSDR investigated cancer rates in the Camp Lejeune population compared to individuals stationed at Camp Pendleton, another Marine Corps base, in the newly published Cancer Incidence Study.

The agency’s Camp Lejeune research highlighted the numerous health risks suffered by Camp Lejeune veterans, including increased male breast cancer rates, throat cancers, and most notably, thyroid cancer.

How Did Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Occur?

The water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by several sources.

Contaminated wells and drinking water sources were blamed on a poorly maintained fuel depot, indiscriminate dumping of cancer causing chemicals on the base, and other contaminants from an off base dry cleaner.

Over the years, these toxic substances, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), accumulated to dangerous levels, significantly exceeding safe drinking water standards.

Oversight led to the prolonged exposure of military personnel, their families, and civilian workers to a cocktail of harmful chemicals, with serious health implications only being addressed years later.

Do You Qualify for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

The Camp Lejeune litigation process can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the process for filing claims.

Individuals who were exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune have suffered from serious health problems that can make it difficult and overwhelming to partake in the legal process.

Camp Lejeune law firms are available to help former residents and veterans who lived and worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune understand their legal options and the pathways to compensation.

You may be eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) if:

• You were a resident at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days, from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987.
• You were diagnosed with throat cancer or another condition caused by exposure to contaminants in Camp Lejeune’s water supply.

Camp Lejeune Lawyers can assist you in determining your eligibility for Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims.

Your Camp Lejeune Lawyer will also help you complete the steps crucial for filing and advocating for maximum compensation, including gathering evidence and assessing damages.

Gathering Evidence for Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

Evidence is important in all personal injury lawsuits, but is especially important in proving your time spent at Camp Lejeune.

An experienced lawyer will work hard to gather any evidence you are having trouble with finding.

Evidence in Camp Lejeune claims may include:

• Medical records and diagnoses
• Military service records
• Employment records
• Testimony from other witnesses
• Documentation of financial losses due to medical expenses
• Documentation of time spent at Camp Lejeune

It is crucial to secure your evidence quickly, as it may be difficult to obtain after some time.

An experienced Camp Lejeune lawyer can help you collect the necessary documents to support your claim.

Assessing Damages for Camp Lejeune Claims

Damages refer to the total losses incurred as a result of being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Camp Lejeune attorneys can help victims assess and calculate damages in their case.

Camp Lejeune victims may be eligible to receive compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of wages due to illness or injury
• Mental anguish
• Funeral costs, if applicable

How much compensation a victim may receive depends on the specifics of their case, such as when the injury or illness occurred and the severity of its effects.

Determining the damages suffered due to throat cancer or other related conditions is complex.

Experienced Camp Lejeune lawyers can help accurately evaluate the extent of injuries and seek appropriate compensation.

TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and are seeking justice, the experienced attorneys at TorHoerman Law are here to help.

With a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding Camp Lejeune cases, our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of those impacted by water contamination.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit instantly.