Veterans' family members with PFAS exposure-related liver cancer are eligible to file claims

A first-ever human study conducted by the researchers of the University of South California's (USC) Keck School of Medicine suggests that environmental exposure to high levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a class of PFAS is linked to an elevated risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a deadly type of liver cancer. PFAS is ubiquitous in the environment and accumulates in human tissues, including the liver.

The higher the PFAS exposure, the higher the risk of liver cancer

The USC researchers studied human samples collected as a part of a large epidemiological study, the Multiethnic Cohort Study, which followed up more than 200,000 Los Angeles and Hawaii residents for the development of cancer and other diseases. From this repository, the team identified 50 participants who developed liver cancer and evaluated the blood samples that were collected before their cancer diagnosis and compared with 50 participants who did not develop cancer.

Various types of PFAS were found in the blood samples taken even before the participant developed liver cancer, while the strongest association was noted between PFOS and liver cancer. The study revealed that individuals with the highest levels of PFOS exposure were at 4.5 times higher risk of developing liver cancer than those with the lowest PFOS levels in their blood.

Spreading knowledge of PFAS exposure related liver cancer symptoms

In the 1970s, PFAS exposure was confined to the workplace, where people were inadvertently exposed to the chemicals, but by the 1990s, these chemicals affected the general population. Though PFAS use was gradually phased out, the chemical lingers in the environment, drinking water, food products, and blood of over 98% of adults in the United States.

There will be no symptoms during the early stages of liver cancer, however as the disease progresses, the following symptoms start developing:

• Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal swelling
• Yellow discoloration of the skin and white part of the eyes
• Unusual weight loss
• Lack of appetite and feeling full after eating a small portion
• Fatigue and weakness
• Dark urine and chalky stools

If you were residing at a contaminated military base for at least one year and have developed any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Liver cancer has a latency period of 12 years when it is a result of PFAS exposure.

Trust our legal team to pursue your toxic exposure claim

Feel free to contact our knowledgeable attorneys, who can evaluate your case and let you know if you are eligible to file a claim. If you were staying at one or more PFAS-contaminated military bases in the US and have developed liver cancer, you are entitled to financial compensation.

We assure you that your involvement in the process will be minimal, as we know you are already sailing through turmoil. Our ultimate goal is to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.