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Source:
http://www.vva.org/veteran/0807/letters.html
PARASITE WARNING
I am writing to inform all Vietnam
veterans about a potential health risk
that they may have been exposed to while
serving in Vietnam: the little-known
danger from parasites.
My husband, who was otherwise healthy,
passed away on January 20, 2006, from
cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile
duct of the liver. It is very rare in
the United States, but very prevalent in
Vietnam and surrounding countries. There
are two known causes of this type of
cancer: from contracting hepatitis C and
from ingesting a parasite from the water
supply in Vietnam. My husband did not
have hepatitis C; therefore, it was
determined that his cancer derived from
a parasite. I have received official
notification from the VA that his death
was service related, which is not
something the VA determines without an
overwhelming amount of evidence.
This cancer does not manifest itself
until later in life, when you are
between 60 and 70 years old. Once the
symptoms occur, which usually include
jaundice, it is very difficult to treat
or beat. My husband was 58 years old
when he passed away. If he had been
informed that there was a possibility
that he could have ingested a parasite
while serving in Vietnam, he would have
taken precautions to have his bile ducts
examined, possibly extending his life.
The parasite is long gone, but it left
behind damaged cells, which developed
into cancerous tumors in the bile ducts.
If you spent time in Southeast Asia and
are having gastrointestinal issues for
no apparent reason, please have your
physician check for damage within the
bile ducts. It may save your life.
Mrs. Edward S. (Pete) Harrison
Horseheads, New York |
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