Please note that any comments expressed in these forum posts do not reflect the opinions of Medical News Today in any way at all. Opinions posted in this forum do not constitute medical
advice, which should be sought from qualified medical advisers. Disclaimer.
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 ?
| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator |
Follow-Up Opinions Pages: 1
2 3 [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.| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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 | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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?| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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!| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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! | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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 | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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.| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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.| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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... | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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?
| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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.... | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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**!! | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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!!! | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 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!! | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
Pages of Opinions: 1 2 3 [Next]
[recent opinions appear at end]
