The Evolution of Toxic Exposure to Cancer

 Posted on August 16, 2023 in Wrongful Death

Over the course of several decades, thousands of Camp Lejeune residents – both enlisted individuals and their families – as well as community members who worked at the Base were exposed to dangerously high levels of various toxins in the Camp’s water supply. As a result of this exposure, medical events ranging from miscarriages to the development of Parkinson’s disease affected the Camp’s population. However, the most common consequence of this toxic exposure tragedy has been the development of cancer. Former Camp Lejeune residents have developed cancer in nearly every part of the human body as a result of the toxins in the Base’s water supply.

Why Is Every Camp Lejeune Resident Not Developing Cancer?

Not every individual who resided at Camp Lejeune – even those who lived and/or worked there for extended periods of time – has developed cancer. Many toxic exposure victims developed alternative medical conditions. This is because while the human body operates in specific ways, no two human bodies are exactly the same. As such, the likelihood that any particular toxic exposure victim is likely to develop a particular response to that exposure depends, in no small part, to the following:

• Genetics

• Personal medical history

• Amount of exposure

• Length of exposure

• The ways in which exposure occurred

• Exposure to other substances

This last factor can be an illuminating one to consider, as the chemical makeup of the Base’s water supply evolved over time and certain kinds of substances – in specific volumes – are more likely to result in particular medical consequences.

How Toxic Exposure Causes the Body to Develop Cancer

Those victims who have developed cancer as a result of their exposure experienced a metabolic process that caused their cells to sustain damage as the toxins that they were exposed to were processed within their tissues. While some cells can repair after being damaged, when damage cannot be repaired, gene mutations can develop and evolve into various types of cancer.

Explore Your Rights and Options with a Skilled Cook County Toxic Tort Lawyer Today  

The client-focused team of Cook County, IL Camp Lejeune lawyers at Schwartz Injury Law is very proud to represent the interests of Camp Lejeune toxic exposure victims and the families of those loved ones whose lives have been lost due to that exposure. Whether the consequences of the Camp’s toxins have affected you or your family in the form of cancer or any other challenging medical diagnosis, know that you have rights and that our team can fight for them efficiently and effectively. To learn more, please call our offices at 708-226-9000 or reach out online to schedule a case evaluation at no cost. We look forward to working with you.  

Source:

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Chemicals,%20Cancer,%20and%20You%20FS.pdf