17 Years After 9/11, Mesothelioma Doctors Anticipate Rise in Patients

Mesothelioma is far from the only illness that New York City’s first responders face as a result of the World Trade Center’s fall. A recent news report revealed that at least 20 men who were present at the site in the days following the tragedy have been diagnosed with breast cancer, while firefighters who entered the buildings on that day have been diagnosed with a variety of respiratory illnesses, polyps in their sinus cavities, asthma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. Most who have not yet been diagnosed with cancer assume that they will be at some point as a result of their exposure to asbestos, lead, dioxins and other chemicals. Said one firefighter who worked that day, “We all think it’s coming at some point. It’s just a matter of when, not really if.” In addition to the 343 firefighters and paramedics who died when the buildings collapsed on September 11th, an additional 150 have died since of cancers and other illnesses.