My Brother who is now a Federal Judge in S.C. served in Vietnam from 67 to 68. Two tours. Con Tien Khe Sanh and Da Nang. He was diagnosed with tumors in his bladder. They were removed a few weeks ago and when he went in to start chemo they checked him again to make sure he was fully healed. They found another tumor much bigger and more aggressive. He is going through hell and back fighting this and I'm sure one of the bloodiest battles in the Vietnam War, Con Tien, was the last battle he thought he would ever face.
I immediately thought of Agent Orange although his Doctor says it was from second hand cigarette smoke when we were kids. My Brother never smoked a day in his life, none of the other four of us have it. and we are all near the same age. It looks like they are telling all the other Veterans that are coming up with bladder cancer that do smoke, it's caused by that.
Now he waits six weeks to see if they need to remove his bladder to rebuild it and or replace it with a man made one. The VA is not allowing compensation for Bladder cancer although they allow coverage for prostrate cancer which is much more common in any man even if they aren't exposed to Agent Orange. Also, the bladder is so near the prostrate how can it be possible it wouldn't be effected but the prostrate would? Makes no sense at all. The type of tumors found in my brothers bladder are rare which tells me that it's highly likely that it is associated with his high level of exposure to the chemicals which is also rare. Not many people have been exposed to these levels.
He was the radioman and jumped into a foxhole in Vietnam that a live grenade was thrown into and pulled his radio out under fire. For that he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery for without that radio his platoon would have been wiped out. He fought for and served his country well and now, when he needs help, the Government has turned their back on him. This is disgusting.
There are enough of these cases on the following web page that warrants further investigation as to why bladder cancer is not associated with Agent Orange. These Veterans all deserve to be treated like heroes and not just swept under the rug.
I have asked all of the people on the web page to send names, phone numbers, dates and where it was they served. The Quang Tri Province was the most heavily sprayed area of Vietnam. It's obvious to me that some cancers take
longer to appear and this sounds like the case with Bladder Cancer.
When Hanoi made the trade agreements with the U.S. both agreed to stop all investigations of Agent Orange related illnesses and drop any further legal issues concerning the birth deformities and deaths of the North Vietnamese people. The fact that we used chemical warfare on North Vietnam has been swept under the rug along with any new illnesses popping up over time that can be directly linked with Agent Orange.
When I first started this research I found this page of Veteran's that suffer from this and it seems to be growing significantly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACS :: Agent Orange and Cancer
Cacodylic acid is reported to cause lung and bladder tumors, .... Note: This document is adapted from the article Agent Orange and Cancer: An Overview for ...
www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3x_Agent_Orange_and_Cancer.asp - 68k - Cached - Similar pages
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Another great article to show the cover up and lack of research specifically to stop further litigations.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2000/01/orange.html
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Growing list of Veterans....
Agent Orange: Bladder Cancer
posted by Janice on 04 Sept 2006 at 10:32 am
I have been fighting the VA for almost three years concerning my husband's bladder cancer as being connected to agent orange/dioxide..with repeated denials. He was an infantry soldier with the 82nd Airborne and was in highly concentrated areas of agent orange in Nam. They tell us it was due to his smoking..he quit smoking 20 years ago; however, they will pay compensation for lung cancer due to agent orange/dioxide. I find this a contradiction..smoking caused my husband's bladder cancer, but smoking did not cause a person's lung cancer..agent orange caused that! Does anyone have an opinion on this and have any of you ever been diagnosed with bladder cancer that served in Nam ?
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Follow-Up Opinions Pages: 1 2 [Next] [recent opinions appear at end]
Agent Orange
posted by Joanne on 23 Oct 2006 at 8:04 pm
My comments are directed to Janice who posted a note concerning her husband's bladder cancer and agent orange. My husband we recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. He was operated on in August of this year. His cancer was caused from a large tumor growing and attaching itself to his organs. The doctors have told us that this cancer was caused from chemicals.
My husband was also in Vietnam and exposed to agent orange. He has been through a lot since August, in and out of the hospital 4 times. Next step is chemo and radiation.
I to believe this has been caused from agent orange when he was in Nam.
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Bladder Cancer
posted by Cecil Sanders on 28 Oct 2006 at 9:18 am
I too have bladder cancer. I have had all kinds of medical problems, Fibro mylgia , nurepothy, headaches I think caused by AO Cecil
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Bladder Cancer
posted by Bob Graham on 16 Nov 2006 at 8:54 am
Several years ago I developed Type 2 diabetes. I was approved for medical treatment thru the VA for that condition. I have now been diagnosed with High Grade Malignant Bladder Tumors (Cancer). I served in Danang, RVN and probably exposed to AO. Years ago, I went thru testing at the VA and was issued a Medical Card with the initials AO listed on it. Anyway, I truly believe all or most of my health problems are a result of my exposure. I am currently in the process of applying for disability.
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Agent Orange - Bladder Cancer
posted by Ron on 18 Dec 2006 at 8:28 am
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer 2003. I have had 4 surgeries since. I served in Vietnam in '67.
I haveave been advised by a urologist to have bladder/prostate, nodes removed. 40% disability due to diabetes type II. Also many skin cancers removed (1 malanoma)
Same explanation from VA: smoking must have caused BC.
Question to VA: how about those with BC who never smoked?
Answer: "Must have been second hand". They say "insufficient evidence" for agent orange/bc".
Wouldn't it be simple to ascertain Nam vets vs general public regarding BC?
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Bladder Cancer And Vietnam
posted by anon on 19 Dec 2006 at 9:47 am
I served in Vietnam from july '65 to january '67 and was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 55. Unfortunately, I began cigarette smoking upon my return from vietnam. I had been a non-smoker prior to that. I am now in the process of being tested to be put on the agent orange registry. Someone needs to do research to look at the incidence of bladder cancer in Vietnam veterans and the general population.
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Bladder & Prostate Cancer Viet Nam
posted by Laurel on 21 Dec 2006 at 5:28 pm
My husband on the PBRs in 1969. Age 58 diagnosed in the last 18 months with bladder cancer and prostate cancer in that order. Both low grade, early stage, primary cancers. Doesn't really matter what caused this at this point, but have to wonder. Best of luck to all of you.
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Bladder Cancer Nam 67/68
posted by Jim on 23 Dec 2006 at 6:18 pm
I have just been diagnosed with high grade carcinoma in bladder. How will va react to claim.
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Bladder Cancer Nam 68-69
posted by Walt on 02 Jan 2007 at 8:01 am
I served in VN '68-'69 with the 25th Infantry Division. Can remember walking through defoliated areas that were like black and white movies. Everthing was dead.
I was Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in 2001 and the VA approved my claim for compensation.
I was diagnosed with Urinary Bladder Cancer in July of 2006. My bladder, prostate and lymph nodes were removed in August 2006. due to an infection, I have had to undergo more surgery. The Cancer has not come back.
The VA denied my claim for compensation. In their letter of denial, they expressed the viewpoint that if I had had Prostate Cancer 1st and then Bladder Cancer I would be elegible for compensation.
I agree that a study needs to be made of all 1st time Bladder Cancer patients who were exposed to Agent Orange. I personally am going to ask my doctors (non-VA) if they have any information that would be relevant.
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I Feel Your Pain!
posted by Dave Brown on 02 Jan 2007 at 9:20 am
I served in Vietnam in 66-7. was mostly around the Bong Son area in 2nd .corps.LZ`S ENGLISH ,PONEY, DOG, to name a few. In 2001 I got a mysterious sickness that took me to the emergency room 3 times in one week. They said it was the lining of my stomach, because they didn`t know (.I think.) Anyway, to make a long story short, I lost a lot of weight, since then I got a rash back I have had since in country, that I thought had pased.
Next had to have a tumor removed from my neck, the nerves in the end of my toes and fingers will not let me sleep at night, and now I have stage 4 renal cell cancer. This is just to bring up a few of my problems. No history of cancer in my family.
Just letting you know I feel your pain.
God keep you all!
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Bladder Cancer And Nam
posted by anon on 12 Jan 2007 at 5:51 am
If a Vietnam veteran sees a private physician due to bladder cancer, why can't the US government ask for this info to be forwarded to them. God knows, the gov't is monitoring everthing else we do.
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Agent Orange Related
posted by janice on 09 Feb 2007 at 10:15 am
The va should take your doctors' view. You will need service records also .In the Doctor report ;get your doctor to say this "this bladder cancer was as likely caused from chemicals( agent orange )exposure ,as not." These words mean a lot in getting the Gov.Va to take notice of this....as likely as not...it was likely caused from the agent orange chemical. This is how my husband got approved about 10 years ago.
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Autism :agent Orange Related ?
posted by JANICE TURNER on 09 Feb 2007 at 10:24 am
I also believe certain Autism could be related to this chemical. We have a daughter that had seizures for years, she then had a very small tumor removed, gave birth to a beautiful son. He has autism. I am still researching links to this.
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Request For Information
posted by Ms. Angelica Koepl on 11 Feb 2007 at 10:14 am
My father is going before the VA this friday, February 16, 2007. His claim: Urinary Bladder Cancer caused by chemical exposure. His urologist is more than willing to do anything my father requests. What I need to know is what do we need for this hearing? We do have a letter from the doctor, though it does not read "as likely as not". My father has been battling Tourettes, Depression, Glaucoma, Hearing Loss, Cataracts and Finally UBC. Any information would be a help!
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Veteran Lost To Renal Cell
posted by toni mccook on 19 Feb 2007 at 12:24 pm
In response to your loss. I lost my husband to renal cell carcinoma not covered under VA list. I had 3 dependent children at the time and no help. I think it's really a sad situation that these men are not recognized. Renal cell is a chemically induced cancer so it seems logical
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I Am Saddened And Surprised
posted by Sgt. PeterBanbury on 19 Feb 2007 at 1:54 pm
As a retired British soldier, I am saddened and surprised that American ex-service people are denied treatment.
Whether or not the illness was caused by their being on active duty is irrelevant. These people put their lives on the line for their nation - why can't their nation give them just a little back - comprehensive healthcare.
This state of affairs would bring the UK to a grinding halt, there would be a nationwide strike and the government would be brought down and never voted in again.
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Prostate And Alzheimer's
posted by Maura on 13 Mar 2007 at 10:48 am
My father recently lost his 9 year battle with Alzheimer's disease, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 52.
Whereas his prostate cancer was concerned he received meager compensation for his treatment under a Agent Orange claim.
Hundreds of studies have been dismissed by the VA for admission of guilt for dioxides causing memory loss or early onset Alzheimer's. My father suffered for years and lost his life long before he died. Only to go unrecognized and slighted for serving his country in a war that was misguided and sad.
My mother has been shuffled through the VA system time and time again, this time only to have her claim dismissed when my father died. She'll have one more hearing to speak out on behalf of all of our veterans and the men and women to come who are without proper care.
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Bladder Cancer
posted by Dennis on 26 Apr 2007 at 5:01 am
I was dignosed with bladder cancer in Feb. of 1991. Served in RVN 1 yr. in 1969. VA says not enough scientific evidence to award service connection for Bladder Ca. at this time. Wierd snice prostate gland sits on top of bladder and Ca. there is service connected....guess they are waiting for us to die off...
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Daughter Health Problems
posted by ann pederson on 22 Jun 2007 at 10:01 pm
My daughter is 37 years old and has many health problems for many years, 4 back surgeries, gall bladder, kidney problems, rare cyst on urinary tract, 4 miscarriages, and heart attack before age 35 and heart valve problems, strenuous arthritis. She had a learning disability and her son now has problems. Her father was in nam, I have not been able to get any help for her. Her father has many health problems including cancer. Does anyone know about help for children of vnam veterans?
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Father Bladder Cancer
posted by Deb on 10 July 2007 at 6:48 pm
My father has bladder cancer, was in Nam and exposed to agent orange. Before I saw this site, I didn't even consider that his being exposed to agent orange could have caused it. He was a smoker, but quit 42 years ago....
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Bladder (and Prostate) Cancer /Agent Orange
posted by Naomi on 17 July 2007 at 10:55 pm
My father L. Duran served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He died last week (60 years old) of bladder cancer. He was never a smoker and his family does not have any history of bladder or prostate cancer. He was diagnosed in 2000 went thru treatment and a couple years later Prostate cancer was found. Both his bladder and his prostate had to be removed were removed. Doctors continued to check for prostate cancer over the years. Six months ago he started having back and leg pain, 3 months ago they told him his bladder cancer had come back and had spread to his hip and lymph nodes. I truly believe that if it wasnt for Agent Orange, my father would be here with me today! "insufficient evidence" my a**!!
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Bladder cancer vietnam
posted by Naomi on 27 Sept 2007 at 9:00 pm
My father recently passed away from bladder cancer. He never smoked and unfortunately was diagnosed with bladder cancer before prostate cancer. He did received benefits from the VA for the prostate cancer but since he was primarily diagnosed with and died from bladder cancer (at the age of 60) the VA has denied my moms attempt to get spousal benefits. If anybody knows anything that could help, would be greatly appreciated because we do believe the cancer was caused from his exposure to Agent Orange when he was proudly serving his country!!!
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My Husband Too!
posted by Maggie on 03 Oct 2007 at 7:47 am
My husband was also in Vietnam during the Agent Orange usage and he too was diagnosed with bladder cancer over 15 years ago and has multiple surgeries over these years. No bladder cancer in family and doctor stated that usually related to chemical use of some type. He has never been a smoker. We do beleive that this could be related to Agent Orange but it's not on their list of covered illnesses. We are unable to get low cost medical insurance because of this condition and almost in a place where we can't find any insurance.
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Prostate Cancer First, Now Bladder Cancer
posted by Phil Davidson on 22 Nov 2007 at 9:46 am
I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, treated and currently receive a disability from VA. In June 2007 I was diagnosed with invasvive bladder cancer. You state in a letter you received from VA that they will award compensation for this bladder cancer if one first had prostate cancer. I fall into this catagory.
I served in Vietnam from April 1966 to Decenber 1967 in Bien Hoa, an area where Agent Orange was repeatly used.
Would you email me a copy of your letter from the VA? my email is: jadehawk@comcast.net
thanks in advance,
Phil
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Service Officer
posted by Richard on 02 Jan 2008 at 11:49 am
Just a note from a service officer for all of you battling with the VA over service connection for bladder cancer. At this time researchers (not just the VA's) do not consider the evidence strong enough to link AO exposure to bladder cancer. However, if your Urologist or Oncologist is willing to write a letter stating that it is "at least as likely as not" that the cancer is AO related, you have a shot. Remember if there is an even split in opinion, the VA is required to give the veteran the benefit of the doubt. Good luck.
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Bladder Cancer
posted by anne on 12 Jan 2008 at 3:35 pm
My husband died in Jan. of 05 with bladder cancer at the young age of 57. He was retired military and VA also denied claim for Agent Orange. It is so sad, he was such a true American and would have done anything for his country as I am sure all soldiers would. Should there be any new changes in this matter, I hope it will g o retro!!
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Agent Orange: Bladder Cancer
posted by Janice on 04 Sept 2006 at 10:32 am
I have been fighting the VA for almost three years concerning my husband's bladder cancer as being connected to agent orange/dioxide..with repeated denials. He was an infantry soldier with the 82nd Airborne and was in highly concentrated areas of agent orange in Nam. They tell us it was due to his smoking..he quit smoking 20 years ago; however, they will pay compensation for lung cancer due to agent orange/dioxide. I find this a contradiction..smoking caused my husband's bladder cancer, but smoking did not cause a person's lung cancer..agent orange caused that! Does anyone have an opinion on this and have any of you ever been diagnosed with bladder cancer that served in Nam ?
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Follow-Up Opinions Pages: 1 2 [recent opinions appear at end]
Bladder Cancer - Eglin AFB
posted by jk on 13 Jan 2008 at 3:13 pm
I was stationed at Eglin AFB (Hurlburt Field 9), Florida form March 1975 to January 1976, and again to Eglin Main from October 1982 to December 1983.
I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in October 2004, then Blabber Cancer in August 2005. I just had my 5th bladder surgery December 2006, to extract the cancer. I went through the BCG treatments last year, and still the cancer returns. Before being diagnosed, the doctor I was seeing at the VAMC, had done nothing about the blood in my urine for over 2 years. At the point of diagnosis, I was starting to have renal failure. My wife suggest that I have a lawyer for malpractice, because the doctor should of never let it go on so long. But how do you sue the VA?
I wasn't in Vietnam. I received my exposure in Eglin AFB Florida.
In reading the article by Barbara T. Dreyfuss, http://www.vva.org/veteran/1007/ao_spraying.html, it should be obvious that I am not making up my story. The substance was stored at this facilities.
My story includes, that the airmen at Eglin during the 1970's were reguired to spray this substance to control the weeds around building, hardstands, reventments, igloos, and butler buildings. That we were not given the proper equipment to protect our skin, or lungs. If anyone has insight into my story please email me.
I've applied for Service Connected disability for bladder cancer and diabetes, but was denied. I was denied, because I didn't have evidence of the exposure, nor documentation that showed a relationship between Bladder Cancer and the toxin. I am not a smoker and have never smoked in my life. No-one in my family has had bladder cancer, and from what I've read the only know causes are cigarette smoke and chemicals.
I am hoping that Barbara Dreyfuss' article will help me prove of exposure, but how do I prove the relationship, since so many have not been able to do so, so far. You would think that the VA would at least award me the claim for diabetes, since there a presidence for it.
My heart goes out to everyone, that has served.
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Bladder Cancer And Vietnam
posted by Susanne Weston on 24 Jan 2008 at 7:54 am
My husband served with the Mobile Riverine Force in the MeKong delta 1966-68. He has had 3 bladder cancer surgeries and 4 chemo treatments since 2002. He was in heavily deforested areas and in the water continually. He has peripheral neuropathy, Type II Diabetes (the catch-all)and is rated for Melioidosis. He too, has been denied for bladder cancer related to AO.
However, after his last bout of bladder cancer surgery in December, 2007, I began searching for other options. We received a request for records for a C&P exam from our request in 2006. Of course, the records were sent in 2006, but, here we go again. During the time I was getting the records together, I wondered about the Melioidosis connection to bladder cancer. There is considerable evidence in South East Asia and Australia that Melioidosis can cause cancers of the bladder, prostate, pancreas and several other areas, particularly the lungs, with either multiple bouts of pneumonia or cancers.
Because Melioidosis (Glanders Disease) is not known in this country, it is very hard to test for and diagnose. My husband spent years in and out of private hospitals with intense pain, high fevers, and unknown diagnosis until I received a little book I had requested on both AO and Melioidosis. Our private physician said, "This is it!", and began appropriate treatment over a long period and got the disease into remission. Another bout in 2002, in which I had to get information to the physicians again, ultimately revealed his bladder cancer. Find as many sites as you can to research this disease, contracted through soil and water. It is a gram-negative bacteria, pseudomonis pseudomallei(its old name), and I truly believe there are as many Vietnam Vets infected with this killer as there are those affected by AO. If they have been exposed to both, Holy Smokes! Unless someone is right on top of what is happening to the veteran, they're dead, and it all Vietnam service-connected! My husband would have died in 1986 if I had not requested that little book I found advertised in the Vietnam Vet magazine. Very few VA physicians are familiar with Melioidosis, but if your veteran matches any of the symptoms, Push, Push, Push!! Don't let this hidden killer take another veteran's life.
More links...
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Crossing Continents | Vietnam War poison
ACS :: Agent Orange and Cancer
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3x_Agent_Orange_and_Cancer.asp
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/youropinions.php?opinionid=11399&p=2
Responses so far...
Hi saw your letter sorry about your brother. MY
husband is very sick and the VA has done everything it
can to kill him. I've been with Mike for thirthseven
years trying to keep him alive.You want to know about
cover-up we got it.We have this big book that shows
you how much chemicals ..what kind and were. The VA
will kill you before helping you. To much going on so
if you want to know about the cover up just call.
570-224-1143 or 570-224-1029. We have letters and
records to show the Government will do all it can to
cover this up because it's not just the vet's that are
going to die it's their children and grandkids too. No
one cares about the vietnam veterans.
Thank you for trying.
Christy Curran
875 Braman Road
Equinunk Pa. 18417
husband Michael Curran
vietnam 1968
purple heart took thirty years to get.
Hi Laurien its me Christy from Pa. was looking over
your letter and i have the herbicide missions in
vietnam...in Quang Tri from 1966 to 1970 orange
515,615 blue 25,79 white 111,410 and that is gal"s.
My husband was in three corp Phou Long 1965 to 1970
orange 1,607,235 blue 56,450 white 1,143,565, then
from 1965 to 1970 in Bien Hoa orange 425,037 blue
8,950 white 386,985 that is the amount my husband
was exposed too. Yes a BIG cover - up. Look up
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.The Government
hopes ya don't know much.We have alot of info.and have
been fighting for thirtyseven years.The vet's can't do
it alone.Look up the fifteen herbicides used in
vietnam Ha if that was here in USA ! purple:A
formulation of 2,4,-D and 2,4,5,-T used between 1962
and 1964. GREEN contained 2,4,5-T and was used 62
-64. Pink contained 2,4,5-T was used 62-64. ORANGE a
formulation of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T used 65-70. WHITE a
formulation of picloram and 2,4-D . BLUE contained
cacodylic acid. ORANGE 11:a formualtion of 2,4-D and
2,4,5-Tused in 68-69 [also sometimes referred to as
SUPER ORANGE] DINOXOL a formulation of 2,4-D and
2,4,5-T small quantities were tested in vietnam
between 62-64 . TRINOXOL contained 2,4,5-T small
quantities tested in vietnam 62-64. BROMACIL AND
DIQUAT AND TANDES AND MONURON AND DIURON AND DALAPON
but they say only small quantitles in 62-64
.
Thank you again,
Christy Curran
husband
vietnam 67-68
Day by day trying to stay alive.
More Evidence of Horrible Veteran's Care:
http://community.woai.com/blogs/bth/archive/2007/11/13/2166825.aspx
Issue settled? See Below.... how can they settle a case that is still on going?
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/vietnam/agent-orange.htm
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