From Exposure to Action: Alabama Needs a Mesothelioma Registry to Protect Its Veterans

by Jonathan Sharp
for the Franklin Free Press

Long after ending their military service and hanging up their uniforms, veterans in Franklin County, Alabama, and across the nation are fighting an invisible enemy called mesothelioma. It’s a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. For many, this exposure occurred decades ago during their military service, when asbestos was everywhere around them, from naval ships and aircraft hangars to barracks, insulation, and vehicle parts.

Even though science has long confirmed the deadly link between asbestos and mesothelioma, the U.S. still lacks a national registry to identify and track at-risk veterans. Such a system could help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proactively detect potentially affected veterans and provide timely, life-prolonging care to those who served their country. 

Each year, 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are identified in the U.S., and veterans make up nearly 30% of them, a striking figure that highlights how deeply asbestos was embedded in military life. For decades, the armed forces relied on asbestos as a “miracle material” for its durability and fire resistance. These qualities, along with its cheap manufacturing process, made it ideal for infrastructure and equipment construction. 

But when asbestos particles are are inhaled or ingested, they lodge in the linings of the lungs, heart, and stomach, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. Over time, even 20 to 50 years after the exposure, this mineral starts altering the cellular structures, which leads to malignant tumors and mesothelioma. Due to the long latency of this disease, veterans who served way back in the 1960s to 1980s are only now being diagnosed.

After the 1980s asbestos ban, hundreds of military bases began cleanup programs. Still, for Alabama veterans who served at facilities such as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base or Fort McClellan, with clear asbestos exposure history, the damage was already done. 

Between 1999 and 2017, Alabama reported over 3,800 asbestos-related deaths, with more than 600 directly tied to mesothelioma, according to CDC data. Even in the small community of Franklin County, the estimated number of asbestos-related deaths was 38. 

If these numbers seem small, that’s mostly because they only represent the reported and confirmed cases. They could be significantly higher if only the healthcare providers could have a registry to link the veterans’ condition to their asbestos exposure from the start.

Unfortunately, without knowing about the patient痴 service history, pathologists often fall into the trap of misdiagnosis. That is mainly because the initial symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, or digestive problems, are mistaken for far more common illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, lung cancer, or acid reflux. 

Studies have shown that mesothelioma cases are misdiagnosed in up to 80% of cases at the first stage and 70% at the second stage of the disease. Even in the third and fourth stages of the illness, misdiagnosis rates are highly concerning as well, at 35.4% and 12.8% respectively. This situation leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, drastically shortening the veterans’ life expectancy.

For veterans in small communities like Franklin County, this challenge is even greater. Rural hospitals often lack specialists experienced in diagnosing mesothelioma, forcing patients to travel long distances for proper care. Tragically, for many, the diagnosis is coming too late to explore all the possible treatment options.

A national mesothelioma registry could change this tragic and unfair cycle. By integrating the VA medical records with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) service history information, such a registry would allow doctors to identify veterans with potential asbestos exposure in the early stages of the disease. This would provide veterans with faster diagnoses, specialized treatment, and ultimately, longer lives among their loved ones.

Beyond a more effective identification system, the registry would provide researchers and policymakers with vital data to better understand the extent of this health crisis. It would help federal institutions run compensation and support programs, ensuring that the veterans and their families receive the benefits and recognition they deserve. 

Creating a mesothelioma registry is a moral obligation, not just a bureaucratic initiative. It’s a promise that the government won’t abandon the very people who protected our lives and democracy. With simple cooperation among federal organizations, they can finally close the gap between sacrifice and support, ensuring that veterans in Franklin County and across the nation receive the medical care, justice, and recognition for their suffering.

About the Author:
Jonathan Sharp is the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a law firm in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides legal services to victims exposed to toxic chemicals.