Creating a National Mesothelioma Registry to combat misdiagnosis in Minnesota vets
For numerous veterans in Minnesota and nationwide, their retirement from military duty does not mark the end of their battles. This is because the conditions in which they served—such as in ships, barracks, vehicles, and other facilities constructed with hazardous materials—have left many personnel carrying hidden risks that often surface only decades later.
One of the most serious repercussions is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer frequently detected only when it is already in its alarming stages. While this illness concerns various occupational settings, veterans confront a significantly higher risk because of their widespread use of asbestos across all military branches. Throughout most of the 20th century, this natural mineral was valued for its resistance to heat and fireproofing capabilities. However, it was only several years later that research on its effects on human health was documented.
Despite mesothelioma being definitively linked with asbestos exposure, misdiagnosis remains common. Many veterans do not receive accurate and timely diagnoses until the disease gets into an advanced stage, where treatment options are limited and survival prospects are poor. A national mesothelioma registry—first proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2019—could help change this reality. By creating a centralized and nationwide database as well as enabling targeted screenings for high-risk groups, this tool would improve early detection, support more effective treatment, and, more importantly, accelerate research into better diagnostic methods.
Frequent misdiagnosis
In the U.S., around 2 million people receive a cancer diagnosis every year. Over 50,000 of these cancers are diagnosed only in veteran populations. Mesothelioma accounts for a very low portion of these conditions, whereby around 3,000 cases are uncovered each year. Nonetheless, about 30% of these diagnoses are from veterans.
Pleural mesothelioma, a tumor that grows in the thin tissue lining the lungs, accounts for 80% of the reported malignancies. It is also recognized as the most aggressive form, with a life expectancy of under a year. Alarmingly, in the documented occurrences, misdiagnosis is prevalent due to the disease’s vague nature. Its initial symptoms—including fever, night sweats, chest or belly pain, persistent cough, and breathing problems—are frequently attributed to an array of different conditions, like thoracic empyema or pus in the chest. Another contributing factor to this issue is the slow development of the cancer. As mesothelioma can emerge 15 to 40 years later, patients and doctors alike may overlook the asbestos exposure histories of patients and dismiss the actual illness, discovering it only when it has already worsened.
Asbestos exposure risk
The asbestos crisis has long wreaked havoc on all 50 states nationwide, and Minnesota was one of those that were drastically impacted. Between 1999 and 2017, a total of 6,318 residents of the North Star State died as a result of asbestos-related illnesses. Among these, 1,176 were attributed to mesothelioma, and only 469 were asbestosis.
Mower County alone recorded 73 casualties, while Steele County had 38 fatalities. Freeborn and Dodge counties respectively documented 32 and 20 deaths. Many of these death tolls involved veterans who previously served or resided in contaminated bases. This reality sounds an alarm in Minnesota, especially since it has a large veteran population comprising over 265,200 personnel.
A national registry
All cancer cases identified in the U.S. are reported to national statistics through a process that can take several years. For researchers investigating mesothelioma, this delay in reporting is troubling because by the time they can contact patients to participate in clinical trials, many of these patients may no longer be alive. This situation creates several barriers to advancing research and development in improved diagnostic methods and new treatment pathways. Another concern with the current approach is that individuals at risk of mesothelioma—such as veterans or those exposed to asbestos through their professional roles—do not receive regular screenings. This concern complicates the identification of mesothelioma and exacerbates existing problems with diagnostic methods.
The proposed national mesothelioma registry could help address these issues by serving as a common database. By implementing instant reporting and case-finding methodologies, this systemic tool could improve detection rates and facilitate progress in research focused on diagnosis and treatment. Currently, efforts are underway to develop the data collection procedures for this registry as well as policies to ensure patient confidentiality. With these advancements, it is anticipated that the national mesothelioma registry will be ready within the next few years.
Jonathan Sharp is the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C. based in Birmingham, Ala., the law firm is dedicated to providing support to victims of toxic exposure. He manages case evaluations, financial analysis, and asset oversight.
Mesothelioma Crisis
Area deaths 1999-2017
Mower: 73
Steele: 38
Freeborn: 32
Dodge: 20