As a cancer originating in the white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are a part of the body's immune system, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma affects over 80,500 people annually nationwide. Some of the causes of this disease are certain infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus infection and immune system deficiency, where the immune system is compromised in people with HIV.
Still, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can also be the consequence of toxic exposure, which is the case of many Camp Lejeune veterans and family members who drank contaminated water at the military base during the last century. Benzene exposure is a major risk factor for this cancer.
A study from the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention examined 43 case-control studies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma outcomes in workers with benzene exposure. Forty of these studies, or 93%, showed a considerable elevation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk, with 23 of 43 studies revealing statistically significant associations between the risk of developing the disease and benzene exposure. Many other reputable studies have also found a link between exposure to benzene and the occurrence of lymphoma in mice. Because benzene is similar to alkylating drugs and radiation in triggering leukemia, it is possible that it might also cause lymphoma.
Some of benzene's potential mechanisms of causing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are:
The researchers in another study from The Lancet found that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a very aggressive subtype of this cancer, was more likely to be caused by benzene exposure. A significantly higher risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was observed for participants exposed to benzene at a medium-high probability level. If you are a Camp Lejeune Marine or a family member of one, keep a close eye on your health and seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as they might indicate non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:
Finally, a study from Translational Cancer Research found that benzene exposure increased the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by 10%. Of 492,719 people with benzene exposure, there were 1,994 cases of this disease. Are you a Camp Lejeune veteran or a family member of one who suffers from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma? If so, we encourage you to contact our team of professionals, who can easily help you determine whether you are eligible to file a claim and obtain financial compensation. Since we are well aware of how overwhelming struggling with cancer can be, we will do our best to simplify the process for you so that you can keep focusing on your health and treatment.
With over 35 years of experience in evaluating toxic exposure claims, our expert team is ready to offer you the assistance you need if you spent time at Camp Lejeune and developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The only documents necessary to assess your case are your military records or evidence of your stay at the military base and your medical records. Eligible individuals will be directed to a reputable, specialized attorney to have their claims filed.