Naval Veterans Frequently Encounter Lung Cancer Linked to Asbestos Exposure Onboard

According to findings published in Scientific Reports, naval veterans, particularly those serving in the 1950s and 1960s, exhibit higher incidences of lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure in comparison to army and air force veterans in the U.K. and Australia.


Mesothelioma Among Veterans


Richard T. Gun, MBBS, from The University of Adelaide's school of public health in Australia, emphasized that asbestos-related diseases continue to be prevalent.

Gun highlighted the importance for clinicians to gather detailed information on potential asbestos exposure in individuals presenting with lung cancer or interstitial lung disease, advising caution regarding asbestos and other hazardous dusts as potential causes.

The research, conducted by Gun and Gerry M. Kendall, BSc, MSc, PhD, from the cancer epidemiology unit at the University of Oxford, analyzed data from U.K. and Australian veterans who served in the 1950s and 1960s.

Their study aimed to determine the prevalence of asbestos exposure-related cancer among naval veterans compared to their counterparts in the army and air force.

The study included four cohorts: U.K. participants (n = 6,305), Australian participants (n = 73,43), a U.K. control cohort (n = 2,613), and a contemporary cohort of Australian Korean War veterans (n = 5,102). 

 

Naval Veterans Frequently Encounter Lung Cancer Linked to Asbestos Exposure Onboard  

The analysis revealed a higher occurrence of mesothelioma among naval veterans than other military branches, as indicated by standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) across various cohorts.

Specifically, in the Australian test participant cohort, SIRs for mesothelioma were notably higher among navy veterans compared to army and air force veterans.

Similar patterns were observed in other cohorts, emphasizing the higher incidence of mesothelioma among naval personnel.

Moreover, the incidence of lung cancer also demonstrated higher standardized incidence ratios among naval personnel than among army and air force members in several cohorts. These findings underscored the heightened risk of lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure among naval veterans compared to other military branches.

The researchers also compared smoking-related conditions between navy and army personnel. Their analysis showed comparable rates of smoking-related conditions such as ischemic heart disease, COPD, and bladder cancer between navy and army veterans.

This suggested that the increased incidence of lung cancer in naval personnel was not likely linked to smoking habits.

The study results further highlighted that asbestos-related conditions, including asbestosis, were more prevalent among navy veterans compared to army or air force veterans.

In conclusion, Gun stressed the persistent existence of asbestos-related health risks despite asbestos import prohibition for several years.

He also urged clinicians to be vigilant in gathering occupational histories and seeking occupational hygienists' expertise when the significance of an exposure remains unclear.

This approach is essential not only for asbestos exposure but also for potential health effects stemming from other airborne hazards, such as engineered stone, diesel exhaust, and other respirable urban pollutants.


Reference:

Sources/Disclosures
Source: 

Gun RT, et al. Sci Rep. 2023;doi:10.1038/s41598-023-44847-4.




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