The term “burn pit” pertains to any designated area on a base, that a US-contracted firm/company disposes of all trash and undesired materials by means of burning.  These “burn pits” exist all over American bases and defensive positions in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  They are enormous landfills where all materials, supplies, and trash are burned by civilian employees and military members.  The resulting effects are huge plumes of black toxic smoke rising over American bases overseas that turn the sky black, and pollutes the air our service-men and women breathe in everyday while serving in these battle zones.  Burn pits just like the one described here existed where Sgt. Thomas was stationed, at al-Taqaddum Air Base (UMSC), Iraq in 2007.  He remembered that at times the sky would get so black and thick with smoke that he would choke, and gasp for air.

What was originally supposed to be a temporary solution to excess trash and waste disposal problems of American troops in foreign countries became a common practice.  Incinerators and proper disposal methods were to be constructed on American bases, but defense contractor corporations preferred to keep burning hazardous materials such as plastics, batteries, old weapons, and ruined machinery.  They did this because it was cheaper, and they could save money by utilizing quick and easy disposal methods.  Military health officials ignored or were somehow unaware of the dangerous activity going on across military bases in the Middle East.  Evidence by other military officials has concluded that the truth behind such health hazards were buried and intentionally ignored to protect private defense firms operating overseas.

On November 6, 2009 the burn pit movement appeared before Capitol Hill, with testimony claiming that current veterans suffering from respiratory illnesses all originated from exposure to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Chief allergist of a New York Veteran’s Administration hospital testified that “Americans who deploy to Iraq were twice as likely as other veterans to develop respiratory illnesses” according to his four year study on the issue.  Testimony from other medical professionals stated that “burning rubber, plastics, and asbestos – all of that or any of it could contribute to the development of a cancer.”  Since December 2008, more than 300 service members and contractors across 42 states have joined in multi-million dollar lawsuits, which claim that burn pits run by military contractors are responsible for their current health problems.  This story, and the stories of hundreds of other 21st century veterans is reminiscent of the military service related asbestos exposure that plagued veterans of generations past in the United States.

On December 16, 2009 the American military’s senior health protection official, Craig Postlewaite stated for the first time, the connection between burn pits and the serious health problems that it has caused.  The Department of Defense is currently launching a more comprehensive study of the situation, which will hopefully “cement” the connection between burn pits and troops who are suffering from all sorts of illnesses and cancers.  Incinerators have begun to be employed in bases all across Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of the DoD’s findings.  But, for some it is too late.  Klayton Thomas died two days after Christmas, and was laid to rest in early January 2010.  His parents have since become very active in burn pit awareness and legislation.  His mother, Connie Thomas, has stated “I have no doubt, that burn pits killed my son.”

“Why Did Sgt. Thomas Die?” by Matthew Hanson Omaha World Herald

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100221/NEWS01/702219907

Given that 1.3 million people worldwide die of lung cancer each year according to the World Health Organization, this could have widespread impact on the patients themselves and the healthcare systems.

With each new study I am hopeful we are coming closer to earlier detection/diagnosis and better treatment for lung cancer patients.

Read more about the study – Breathalyzer test detects lung cancer: study

Read the full article: Tests help lung cancer drugs reach right patients

Researchers are predicting that a new therapeutic vaccine for non-small cell lung cancer could be available in one to three years.  These vaccines are now in late phase clinical trails.  The vaccines may be used with other traditional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.  Using the vaccines in combination with other modes of treatment may increase a patients’ quality of life, may increase life expectancy, and could decrease side effects and amounts of chemotherapy or radiation needed.  These findings were reported by ECRI Institute (an independent, non-profit organization that researches methods for improvements in patient care).

This research is important to the mesothelioma and lung cancer community because patients suffering from these diseases often have limited treatment options and poor prognosis (depending on stage of disease).  Research in the area of mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease is poorly funded and needs more attention.  This new research could mean increased advancements in treating mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers.

More information at www.medicalnewstoday.com.  Also check out this interesting article about research funding from a mesothelioma victim’s trust fund:  June Hancock: Ray of hope in cancer treatment.

Read the article here: “Blood Test May Diagnose Lung Cancer, Company Says”

The idea of a national screening was once considered a “pipe dream” according to Ray Donnelly, the Founder and President of The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. The screening program has the potential to save thousands of lives as early detection is largely helpful in defeating lung cancer, with survival rates jumping from 5% to 80% when the disease is detected early on.

A program like this has the potential to be incredibly helpful for those diagnosed with mesothelioma, as the disease often goes undetected for years before it is ever noticed.

Learn more about mesothelioma.

Often times when dealing with lung cancer people will wait too long, at which point the cancer has already reached an advanced level, making it much more difficult to treat the cancer successfully. This is often the case with mesothelioma, the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Even for those who may not wait too long, there is still no established screening process for lung cancer like there is for other forms such as breast, prostate, and colon cancer.

In an effort to bring much needed attention to lung cancer issues, November has been declared Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, rallies and fundraising events have been and continue to be held. Educational materials will and have been dispersed. In addition, it is encouraged that individual’s make their voices heard through media outlets and attempt to gain official attention for lung cancer with petitions, proclamations, and writing to your local representatives.

Learn more about mesothelioma awareness.

To learn more about the ASC CAN Fight Back Express please watch the video below.

Also, to find out when the bus will be in your town, click here

The New York Times took a look recently non-smokers and lung cancer, using information from an enormous new study conducted in Europe, North America, and Asia.  The study examined 2.4 million nonsmokers who had lung cancer.  Researchers found that the overall risk of lung cancer to non-smokers is not increasing, but non-smokers will continue to comprise 10-15% of lung cancer patients.

Though the reason non-smokers develop lung cancer remains unclear, researchers suspect it comes down to genetic susceptibility combined with exposure to cancer-causing substances like asbestos, radon, certain solvents and other people’s tobacco smoke.

According to the New York Times, “Male nonsmokers are more likely than female nonsmokers to die of the disease, the study found, and the overall risk to nonsmokers is not increasing.”

If nothing else, the study clarifies the severity of the risk of smoking: a man who never smoked has a 1.1 in 100 risk of dying from lung cancer, but it jumps to 1 in 5 if he smokes. In women, the risk goes from 0.8 in 100 to 1 in 8.  But there is hope: currently, about 59 percent of people in the United States say they never smoked, up from 44 percent in 1960.

The study identified some ambiguities that certainly warrant further investigation.  For example, there are relatively high rates of lung cancer among nonsmoking women in parts of Pacific Rim countries.  A leading researcher attributed this to the cooking fumes given off by woks, which probably contain all kinds of carcinogens, and added that the most likely culprit was cooking oil because it vaporizes at high temperatures.

The study was solid examination of the causes that claim the lives of 16,000 to 24,000 lung cancer patients annually.

Learn more about the causes of mesothelioma.

Unlike chemotherapy, CimaVax causes very few side effects.  It uses a modified protein that attacks only the cancer cells, causing minimal adverse reaction in patients.  Development for the vaccine began in 1992.

The cost of the treatment has not yet been determined.  Cuban officials, however, have stated that they will welcome foreigners who seek vaccine administration.  “It’s possible to provide this vaccine to any patient, because it’s available in Cuba, it’s approved by the Cuban drug agency so we can market the vaccine in Cuba and we can receive patients from outside,” said director of clinical investigations at Havana’s molecular immunology center.

Americans, however, will have difficulty accessing CimaVax.  The trade embargo enacted in 1962 restricts travel to Cuba and will serious impede Americans’ ability to try this new therapy.  In the US, CimaVax is in clinical trials and is not slated to finish for another two to three years.

Other cancer vaccines under development elsewhere include one made by Antigenics Inc against melanoma, and another made by Avant Immunotherapeutics Inc and licensed by drug giant Pfizer Inc that attacks deadly brain tumors.  For the full story, click here.