Over 82,000 people receive a diagnosis of bladder cancer nationwide every year. Some of the risk factors for this disease are smoking, being elderly, having a family history of bladder cancer, and being male. Still, civilian and military firefighters who use the fire suppressant AFFF are at high risk of developing bladder cancer due to the toxic chemicals this product contains – PFAS. According to recent medical studies, the impact of PFAS exposure might be associated with changes to the cells in bladder tissue, which can eventually lead to bladder cancer. Another study found an excess risk of bladder cancer among younger firefighters. In fact, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in civilian and military firefighters exposed to AFFF.
The primary role of the kidneys is to filter toxic chemicals from the bloodstream and move them into the bladder. When firefighters are exposed to PFAS, these substances pass into their bloodstream and are subsequently filtered by the kidneys into their urine. The bladder is repeatedly exposed to PFAS, as it acts as a store for urine. This might cause changes to the cells in bladder tissue, which can ultimately lead to bladder cancer. If you are or were a civilian or military firefighter and used AFFF on the job frequently, you should keep a close eye on your health and seek medical assistance immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Medical studies have shown that PFAS found in the blood of people may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. Out of the over 9,000 chemicals making up the PFAS group, two have a strong association with bladder cancer, namely PFOA and PFOS. Unfortunately, they are nearly always present in the AFFF civilian and military firefighters use. This fire suppressant contains between 50% and 98% of these harmful chemicals, which makes it a major health threat to firefighters who use it regularly. Even in small concentrations, PFAS can result in a disease such as bladder cancer.
Exposure to PFAS may contribute to higher than average risk for bladder cancer. According to a study, exposure to these dangerous chemicals is responsible for 25% of bladder cancer cases in men and 11% of bladder cancer cases in women. Men are more likely to develop this disease if they work as firefighters, as their gender is more prevalent in this profession. If you are or were a civilian or military firefighter who used AFFF on the job, we encourage you to contact our expert team, as we have been evaluating toxic exposure claims for over 35 years, and we can help you find out if you are entitled to financial compensation.
Our team of experts has the necessary experience, knowledge, and resources to help you determine whether you are eligible to file a claim for AFFF exposure. Because we understand how overwhelming struggling with bladder cancer can be, you will only have to send us your employment or military records and your medical records to have your case reviewed. Once we deem you eligible, we will promptly direct you to a reliable, specialized attorney so you can have your claim filed as soon as possible.
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