Lung Cancer and First Responders
First responders play a critical role in public safety. However, their service comes with increased exposure to asbestos, a toxin that can cause lung cancer. Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting first responders. Learn how we can help first responders facing a lung cancer diagnosis.
First Responders and Lung Cancer Dangers
First responders like firefighters are the first line of defense for emergency situations like fires, collapsing buildings, and more. As they work to protect survivors of these tragedies, they risk exposure to asbestos, smoke, and other toxic materials that can cause lung cancer later in life.
Because first responders often enter these environments without knowing what materials are present, their threat of lung cancer is higher than in the general population.
Lung Cancer and First Responders Quick Facts
- Cancers that often affect first responders include lung cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and more.
- Firefighters had a 60% higher risk of lung cancer, according to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Police officers have a 25% greater risk of cancer.
- Many first responders who helped in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks have developed lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Get a free case review now to learn how we can assist you or a first responder that you love after a lung cancer diagnosis.
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- Contact Us for Free
Lung Cancer and First Responders Asbestos Exposure Risks
For many first responders, asbestos exposure is one of the most significant dangers linked to lung cancer. Asbestos was widely used in construction materials for decades, and when buildings burn, collapse, or are demolished, tiny fibers are released into the air that first responders can breathe in.
First responders risked exposure to asbestos from products like:
- Cement
- Drywall
- Flooring tiles
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Paint
- Pipes
- Popcorn ceilings
- Roofing materials
It takes 10-50 years for asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer to develop after exposure. However, first responders likely didn’t know that asbestos was harmful if they served before the 1980s, because major manufacturers hid the health effects.
Asbestos can significantly damage the lungs and other parts of the body, leading to cancer later in life. The risks are especially high in first responders who were also exposed to smoke, diesel exhaust, benzene, silica dust, and other carcinogens (cancer-causing materials).
High-Risk Asbestos Sites for First Responders
Generally speaking, any building constructed prior to the early 1980s may have contained asbestos. This meant that first responders could develop lung cancer or other serious illnesses decades after responding to disasters involving many of these structures.
First responders may have been exposed to asbestos in:
- Apartment complexes
- Construction sites
- Homes
- Offices and other businesses
- Power plants
- Schools
- Wildfire smoke
First responders may not have known that a building contained asbestos, bravely forging ahead to save civilians while putting their own health in danger.
In addition, there is still legacy asbestos left in thousands of structures built prior to the 1980s before the risks were publicly understood. As a result, many first responders still could be exposed to asbestos even today.
Call (877) 446-5767 now for help if you or someone you love developed lung cancer or mesothelioma and once served as a first responder.
9/11 Lung Cancer and First Responder Risks
The World Trade Center was built with a wide range of materials, including many asbestos-containing products. When the 9/11 attacks took place, a cloud of hazardous materials was unleashed.
Many first responders rushed to the scene, working tirelessly to support New York City’s recovery from the tragedy and breathing in significant levels of contaminated air — sometimes without personal protective equipment (PPE).
Nearly 120 9/11 first responders have developed lung cancer to date. Today, the government has set up the World Trade Center Health Program, a cancer registry that monitors and supports first responders who are now getting sick as a result of their bravery.
“As soon as they told us his cancer was due to the asbestos, we put it together right away.”
— Margaret, wife of 9/11 first responder who died from mesothelioma
Secondary Asbestos Exposure Among Families of First Responders
It isn’t just the first responders themselves who could go on to develop asbestos-related lung cancer. Family members of first responders are also in danger due to what’s known as secondary asbestos exposure.
First responders could come home with soot and dust all over their clothing and bodies. When they did so, asbestos fibers entered the home, exposing spouses, children, and other relatives.
Many loved ones of first responders have since gone on to develop lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious illnesses, even though they never directly handled asbestos themselves.
Asbestos-Related Diseases That Affect First Responders
First responders are more likely to develop serious asbestos-related diseases than the general population. These illnesses include multiple types of cancer.
Learn more about common asbestos-related illnesses below:
- Asbestosis: This isn’t cancer, but rather a serious illness in which asbestos fibers scar the lungs and make it harder to breathe. It has no cure.
- Lung cancer: Breathing in asbestos-laced dust could cause you to develop lung cancer later in life.
- Mesothelioma: This is a very rare cancer that forms in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. It’s only caused by asbestos.
It can take 10-50 years or more for you to get sick after your initial asbestos exposure. This means that if you were exposed decades ago, you’re still at an increased risk of these illnesses today.
There are ways to stay on top of your health if you’re concerned about asbestos lung cancer or other diseases. For example, you can ask your doctor about getting a lung cancer screening for early detection before symptoms appear, as well as follow-up testing.
Lung Cancer and First Responders Compensation Options
If you or someone you love developed an asbestos-related disease after serving as a first responder, you may qualify for compensation. This money comes from manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that hid the risk factors.
First responders can access compensation from:
- Personal injury lawsuits: You may be eligible for a mesothelioma or lung cancer lawsuit filed against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. Mesothelioma lawsuits typically pay out over $1 million.
- Asbestos trust fund claims: Dozens of trusts contain more than $30 billion in total, and it’s possible to file claims to get compensated alongside a lawsuit.
- VA benefits: Veterans can pursue VA claims to access many different types of benefits, such as compensation worth over $4,000 per month and free or inexpensive health care.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: If a loved one passed away from an asbestos-related illness, you may qualify to file a lawsuit on their behalf. Wrongful death claims for mesothelioma award more than $1 million on average.
At Lung Cancer Group, we have partnered with experienced lawyers who can help you recover compensation if you served as a first responder and are now sick.
Get a free case review now to connect with our legal partners and start pursuing payouts for asbestos-related lung cancer.
- Access Financial Aid and Justice
- Learn About Your Options
- Contact Us for Free
Lung Cancer and First Responders: Get Support Now
Asbestos is a public health crisis, and far too many first responders across the country have gone on to develop lung cancer and other serious diseases as a result of occupational exposure. Lung cancer can bring a lot of uncertainty, and first responders never deserved to get sick.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed, Lung Cancer Group is here to assist you.
Our team can help you or someone you love:
- Better understand lung cancer treatment options
- Pursue compensation needed to cover medical expenses
- Get the support you deserve during this difficult time
While lung cancer can be overwhelming, we’re ready to walk with you and your family and make the road ahead easier. Call (877) 446-5767 or get a free case review now to start the process.
Lung Cancer and First Responders FAQs
What is the cancer rate for first responders?
First responders have a higher cancer incidence (rate) than the general population. For example, firefighters are 60% more likely to develop lung cancer. The reason that the rates are so much higher is that first responders risk regular exposure to carcinogens, or cancer-causing materials.
One of the most notable carcinogens that first responders are exposed to is asbestos. This fiber-like material was used in virtually every building constructed before the early 1980s.
If a building collapsed or caught on fire, it could release asbestos fibers into the air that first responders breathed in. This could cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other illnesses decades later, according to the American Cancer Society.
What benefits can I get if I have lung cancer?
If you have lung cancer, you may be entitled to significant financial benefits through the legal system. For example, first responders with asbestos-related lung cancer can file lawsuits and trust fund claims to get money for their illnesses.
Some first responders have received $1 million or more by filing asbestos lawsuits, allowing them to afford medical treatment, basic living costs like mortgages and groceries, and any other expenses.
First responders who also served their country may qualify for VA benefits, including thousands of dollars in monthly compensation and free or inexpensive cancer care.
Contact us now for help exploring potential benefits that you may be entitled to after a lung cancer diagnosis.
What illnesses did people get from 9/11?
Many civilians and first responders at the 9/11 disaster site have gone on to develop serious respiratory illnesses and cancers in the present day. This is because they breathed in or swallowed toxic dust that contained asbestos, silica, glass, and fibers from other building materials, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The World Trade Center Health Program supports those who have gotten sick from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious diseases related to the aftermath of 9/11.
Can first responders sue for lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure?
Yes, it may be possible to sue if you worked as a first responder and later developed asbestos-related lung cancer. These lawsuits are filed against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that hid the deadly truth for decades to make significant profits.
Lung Cancer Group has partnered with experienced attorneys who can help first responders like you take legal action. Call (877) 446-5767 to get started.
