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Even if you were not in the specific areas where it was recorded to have been sprayed with chemicals, there is a good chance you were exposed because of over-spraying, wind drifts, food and water contamination, besides the high incidence of unrecorded sprayings. Helicopter pilots have developed related fatal illnesses from having flown unknowingly through contaminated clouds and transporting the chemical containers. Men have died that were in non-combat positions, miles from the fighting and the jungle. Women who served as nurses, far from the front lines, have suffered the painful losses of miscarriages, stillbirths, and babies born with the severe birth defects including Spina Bifida.
There is no way to determine how many Vietnam Veterans and military civilian personnel have died without knowing the connection of their illnesses to Agent Orange and other related chemical compounds. The civilian medical world does not respond well to the relationship of Agent Orange and Vietnam Veterans illnesses. There is a lack of communication from the Veterans Administration regarding their on-going studies and findings. Also, there are many variables involved as to the amount of chemicals sprayed, where spraying occurred, whom it was sprayed on, and the effects on humans.
Unfortunately, the numbers speak for themselves - over 2.5 MILLION troops were exposed during that time frame (1962-1975) and over a quarter million have already died from Agent Orange related diseases that we know of.
This information could assist in expanding your life span- You need to take this information to your private health care provider and to your local VA Medical Center and tell them you want to be screened YEARLY for the cancers and conditions listed below. If something does develop, please register at the nearest VA Agent Orange Registry in your local VA Medical Center, so that you and your family can receive the services and benefits for which you may qualify. The VA provides an annual Agent Orange and Persian Gulf Review brochure with the latest information on medical studies, legislation and services available through the VA, in relation to illnesses, Agent Orange and other chemicals. Brochures are available at VA Medical Centers, Agent Orange/Persian Gulf Registry Departments, and by requesting to be added to the mailing list of Department of Veteran Affairs at (202)273-8580.
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Diseases
- Cancer of the bronchus
- Cancer of the larynx
- Cancer of the lung
- Cancer of the trachea
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Prostate cancer
- Hodgkins disease
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Adult fibrosarcoma
- Alveolar soft part sarcoma
- Angiosarcoma
- Clear cell sarcoma of aponeuroses
- Clear cell sarcoma of tendons
- Congenital and infantile fibrosarcoma
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- Ectomesenchymoma
- Epithelioid malignant leiomysarcoma
- Epithelioid malignant schwannoma
- Epethelioid sarcoma
- Extraskeletal Ewings sarcoma
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Infantile fibrosarcoma
- Leiomysarcoma
- Lipsosarcoma
- Lymphangiosarcoma
- Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
- Malignant giant cell tumor of tendon sheath
- Malignant glandular schwannoma
- Malignant glomus tumor
- Malignant hemangiopericytoma
- Malignant mesenchymoma
- Malignant schwannoma with rhabdomyoblastic proliferating (systemic) angiendotheliomatosis
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Synovial sarcoma
- Diabetes - Type II - Adult
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Soft-tissue sarcoma
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Chloracne
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
Disabilities in children of Vietnam veterans:
Diseases and Disabilities Having the Best Chance of Being Added in the Future:
- Breast Cancer
- Childhood Cancer (in Children of Vietnam Veterans)
- Chronic Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Circulatory Disorders
- Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
- Female Reproductive Cancers (cervical, uterine, ovarian)
- Hepatobiliary Cancers
- Immune System Disorders
- Leukemia
- Liver Cancer
- Low Birth weight (in Children of Vietnam Veterans)
- Metabolic and Digestive Disorders (diabetes, changes in liver enzymes, lipid abnormalities, ulcers)
- Motor or Coordination Dysfunction
- Nasal or Nasopharyngeal Cancer
- Neonatal or Infant Death and Stillbirths
- Renal Cancer
- Respiratory Disorders
- Skin Cancer
- Spontaneous Abortion
- Testicular Cancer
GLOSSARY OF DISEASES
- Acute Peripheral Neuropathy - A temporary dysfunction involving the nervous system.
- Adult Fibrosarcoma - A tumor formed as an adult derived from connective tissue.
- Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma - A sarcoma found in the alveolus, the sac-like ducts in the lung.
- Angiosarcoma - A tumor occurring in the breast and skin, and believed to originate from blood vessels.
- Birth Defects - An abnormal structure, function, or metabolism of the fetus, whether genetically determined or as the result of an environmental influence during embryonic or fetal life.
- Cancer of the Bronchus. A malignant tumor found in a bronchus, an extension of the trachea (windpipe) connecting to the lungs.
- Cancer of the Larynx. A malignant tumor found in the larynx (voice box).
- Cancer of the Lung - A malignant tumor found in the lung.
- Cancer of the Prostate - A malignant tumor found in the prostate gland.
- Cancer of the Trachea - A malignant tumor found in the trachea (windpipe).
- Chloracne - An acne-like eruption due to prolonged contact with certain chlorinated compounds.
- Clear Cell Sarcoma of Aponeuroses - A sarcoma found at the end of a muscle where it becomes a tendon.
- Clear Cell Sarcoma of Tendons - A sarcoma found in the tendons.
- Congenital Fibrosarcoma - A malignant tumor formed before birth and derived from connective tissue.
- Dermatofibrosarcoma - A relatively slow growing benign skin tumor consisting of one or more firm nodules.
- Ectomesenchymoma - A tumor found in a certain part of the skin.
- Epithelioid Malignant Leiomyosarcoma - A malignant tumor derived from smooth muscle found in the layer covering the muscle.
- Epithelioid Malignant Schwannoma - A moderately firm, benign, tumor found in the layers of membrane covering surfaces inside the body, caused by too many Schwann cells growing in a disorderly manner.
- Epithelioid Sarcoma - A tumor found in the membrane covering surfaces inside the body.
- Extraskeletal Ewings Sarcoma - A tumor outside the bone consisting of small, rounded cells.
- Hemangiosarcoma - A tumor derived from blood vessels and lining blood filled spaces.
- Hodgkins Disease - A tumor in the lymph nodes characterized by the increasing enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia.
- Infantile Fibrosarcoma - A tumor formed as a child derived from fibrous connective tissue.
- Leiomyosarcoma - A tumor derived from smooth muscle.
- Liposarcoma - A tumor that may occur in any site in the body consisting of irregular fat cells.
- Lymphangiosarcoma - A tumor derived from blood vessels.
- Lymphoma - A malignant tumor of lymph nodes.
- Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma - A type of tumor present in connective tissue
- Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheath - A tumor found in the membrane of the tendon.
- Malignant Glandular Schwannoma - A moderately firm, malignant tumor in the glands caused by too many Schwann cells growing in a disorderly pattern.
- Malignant Glomus Tumor - A tumor found in the glomus, the tiny nodes found in the nail bed, pads of fingers and toes, ears, hands, feet and many other organs of the body.
- Malignant Hemangiopericytoma - A tumor characterized by rapidly growing fat cells formed in blood vessels and lining blood filled spaces.
- Malignant Mesenchymoma - A malignant tumor in the embryonic tissue or fluid.
- Malignant Schwannoma with Rhabdomyoblastic - A moderately firm, malignant tumor found in skeletal muscle resulting from the rapid growth of Schwann cells in a disorderly pattern.
- Multiple Myeloma - Cancer of specific bone marrow cells characterized by bone marrow tumors in various bones of the body.
- Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma - Malignant tumors of the lymph nodes, distinguished from Hodgkins disease by the absence of the giant Reed-Sternberg cells.
- Peripheral Neuropathy - A dysfunction involving either the somatic nerves or the autonomic system. See also acute peripheral neuropathy and subacute peripheral neuropathy.
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda - A disease characterized by liver dysfunction and light sensitive lesions, with pigment changes in the skin.
- Proliferating (systemic) Angiendotheliomatosis - A growing number of benign tumors formed in blood vessels. Often causes skin discoloration.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma - A tumor derived from skeletal muscle.
- Sarcoma - A tumor arising in connective tissue, bone, cartilage, or muscle.
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma - A diverse group of sarcomas arising in the soft tissues that are found in and around organs.
- Spina Bifida - A disability characterized by the defective closure of the spinal cord, through which the cord is exposed and may protrude.
- Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy - A dysfunction involving either nervous system with a course between acute (temporary) and chronic (long duration).
- Synovial Sarcoma - A tumor found in the lubricating fluid surrounding joints and tendons
For further information, contact your local Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 1-800-827-1000 or
the V.A. Administration Office at 1-800-922-9234.
Additional Resources:
- Veterans Administration Office - www.va.gov / 1-800-827-1000
- Dept. of Veterans Affairs - 1-800-827-1000
- U.S. Vietnam Veterans with Canadian Citizenship - Call Vermont V.A. Medical Center and Regional Offices - 1-866-687-8387 / www.va.state.vt.us
- Agent Orange Claims Office
1-800-225-4712
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Agents Service (for Agent Orange Review Brochures) 1-202-273-8580
- Long Beach, CA. - V.A. Medical Center Agent Orange / Persian Gulf Registry -1-562-826-2862
- V.A. Gulf War Veterans Info. Hotline - www.va.gov / 1-800-749-8387
- National Veterans Benefits and Legal Services Program - 1-202-265-8305
- Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) - www.vva.org / 1-800-626-8387
- Veterans Advisory Commission - 1-800-872-1366
- Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation - 1-310-338-0377
- Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition - www.aowac.org / 1-562-421-4640
P.O. Box 92131, Long Beach, CA. 90809-2131 |
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