Barasch & McGarry Recognizes Uterine Cancer Awareness Month

September is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month.

In early 2023, after years of tireless advocacy by the 9/11 community, the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) finally added uterine and endometrial cancers to the list of conditions eligible for free health care and compensation.

Barasch & McGarry Partner Sara Director was a leader in these efforts, consulting with 9/11 victims, elected officials, and medical research teams to secure the inclusion of uterine and endometrial cancers.

Today, Barasch & McGarry represents nearly 400 members of the 9/11 community who have been diagnosed with uterine or endometrial cancer, and has secured the first compensation awards for uterine and endometrial cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 66,200 women in the United States will be diagnosed with uterine or endometrial cancer in 2023.

The major risk factors for uterine or endometrial cancer are obesity, age, diet and exercise, type 2 diabetes, family history (having close relatives with endometrial or colorectal cancer), having breast or ovarian cancer in the past, having endometrial hyperplasia in the past, and treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis to treat another cancer.

People with a high risk of uterine or endometrial cancer should share this information with their primary health care provider and stay alert to the symptoms.  

Remember that if you are diagnosed with 9/11-related uterine or endometrial cancer, your family medical history and pre-existing conditions will not affect your eligibility for free health care or compensation. 

If you were there in Lower Manhattan, the government presumes your cancer was the result of exposure to Ground Zero toxins.

If you are diagnosed with uterine or endometrial cancer or any other 9/11-related cancers or respiratory illnesses, Barasch & McGarry can help you access resources through the free World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

The health program provides comprehensive medical care to 9/11 victims for their 9/11-related illnesses.

The victim fund offers tax-free awards for pain and suffering, lost earnings, and benefits for surviving spouses and family members.

For the WTC Health Program, the exposure zone consists of all of Manhattan below Houston Street and parts of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO in Brooklyn.

For the 9/11 VCF, the exposure zone includes the area of Manhattan south of Canal Street and west of Clinton Street.

If you were exposed to Ground Zero toxins, you should know your health status.

Protect yourself and your family. An early diagnosis could save your life.

Barasch & McGarry, Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, represents more than 35,000 members of the 9/11 community.

Visit 911victims.com or call 212-385-8000 today.