Often referred to as the silent killer due to the absence of symptoms and difficulty in early detection, ovarian cancer affects nearly 20,000 women every year nationwide. While it can be the result of changes in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2, a family history of the disease, never having children, and early onset of the period, ovarian cancer can also be caused by having drunk toxic water at Camp Lejeune during the last century.
A study from Epidemiology examined the mortality rate of over 20,000 aerospace workers exposed to trichloroethylene, one of the harmful solvents present in the drinking water at the military base. The researchers observed high ratios of ovarian cancer among participants with peak exposure at medium and high levels. Moreover, a study from Environmental Health Perspectives found a significant connection between trichloroethylene exposure and ovarian cancer.
If you are a female veteran or the wife of a male veteran who was stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and worry you might have developed ovarian cancer, the following are the symptoms you should be on the lookout for and for which you should seek medical assistance right away:
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, trichloroethylene exposure has a positive association with ovarian cancer in women exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune. Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for 85% to 90% of cases, and it involves the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary.
A study from Archives Animal Breeding found that the administration of benzene stimulated apoptosis and proliferation in porcine ovarian granulosa cells. This is the first evidence of direct action of benzene on the ovary. Furthermore, the stimulatory action of benzene on cell proliferation seen in the experiments could explain the ability of the solvent to induce malignant transformations characterized by increased cell division. The researchers observed that benzene exerted an inhibitory effect on progesterone release and a stimulatory effect on oxytocin release. This is the first demonstration concerning the effect of benzene on the release of ovarian hormones. These hormones are regulators of ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, folliculogenesis, and fecundity.
If you are a Camp Lejeune veteran or a family member of one struggling with ovarian cancer due to having drunk contaminated water at the military base, we advise you to contact our team of professionals, who will gladly help you find out whether you are eligible to file a claim and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your unjust suffering. We understand how painful suffering from ovarian cancer can be, which is why we will strive to simplify the process so that it will require minimal involvement from you.
Our expert team has the necessary experience, resources, and knowledge to provide you with the assistance you need if you have ovarian cancer and lived at Camp Lejeune during the last century. The only documents we will need to assess your case are your military records or proof of your stay at the military base and your medical records. If you are entitled to compensation, we will put you in touch with a reputable, specialized attorney.