Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer Linked to Toxins Released on 9/11

The collapse of the World Trade Center’s twin towers and several adjacent buildings released an unknown number of contaminants and carcinogens into the air. Materials and compounds never intended to burn were incinerated and reduced to fumes, smoke, vapors, particles, and ash. Researchers who studied the toxins released into the air on 9/11 have identified more than 70 different deadly carcinogens, many of which survivors and responders breathed in, and that lingered for eight months during clean-up and removal efforts. 

As workers were encouraged to return to Lower Manhattan in the weeks and months after 9/11, most were unaware of the dangers that lingered. Those toxins have been linked to 69 different cancers among survivors and responders, including colon cancer.

Colon Cancer a Top 10 Cancer for 9/11 Survivors, Responders

Colorectal cancer occurs within the large intestines, which consists of both the colon and rectum, and typically begins as a small growth or polyp along the lining of colon and rectum. Polyps that are small and benign can grow and turn cancerous over time, making screening an important measure. While there are a number risk factors for colon cancer, medical experts remain unclear on what causes it. Massive amounts of hazardous materials and carcinogens were released into the air on 9/11 – and ingested by survivors and responders – present them with elevated risk factors. To date, the WTCHP has verified nearly 900 confirmed cases of colon cancer alone.

Symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Change in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, or consistency of stool
• Rectal bleeding or blood in stool  
• Recurring abdominal pain, discomfort, or cramping
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Note that colon cancer can occur without any symptoms being present, especially in its early stages. 

Because it can take months, years, or even decades for cancer to grow, it is important for 9/11 survivors and responders to be aware that a diagnosis years later can be a result of their exposure, and they have the right to seek full and fair compensation.

In 2019, my world came crashing down around me when—at only 51 years old—I was diagnosed with Stage II Colon Cancer. When I spoke to a buddy of mine, he said the first thing you need to do is call Barasch & McGarry. How lucky I was to get such good advice. Your team made it such an easy process from helping me register and answering any questions I ever had. Michael Barasch put my mind as well as my wife’s mind at ease, telling us over and over not to worry about any medical bills, which were adding up because I wasn’t yet certified. All I can say from the bottom of my heart is thank you! What you and your staff do for the 9/11 community is unbelievable.

J.J.
Responder

Medical & Financial Benefits for Colon Cancer Patients

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 was approved legislation that established an initial list of conditions covered by the two 9/11 benefit programs the act created. These programs are The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which provides free nationwide medical care, and the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) which disburses monetary compensation to those with conditions the WTC Health Program certifies. To date 69 cancers including colon cancer are part of the list of conditions, some of which have been added years later when medical evidence became undeniable. 

In 2019, after dozens of trips down to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress, our firm and many other 9/11 advocates aided in the full funding and permanent extension of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act essentially ensures funds are available to compensate all who are currently sick or get sick in the future.

Deadline Extended to Register for Compensation

Deadlines to register VCF claims are approaching. If you or anyone you know had cancer or lost a family member as a result on 9/11, reach out to us to register for compensation quickly.

If you were exposed to the toxic air on 9/11 or in the eight months that followed but have not had your medical condition linked to 9/11, you also still have time to apply for significant compensation. The deadline to apply to the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is two years from the date that your cancer has been certified by the WTC Health Program. The two-year period to register doesn’t start on the day of diagnosis. Rather, it starts only when a victim is made aware their condition was linked to exposure to the WTC toxins.

For those who died from their WTC-linked condition, the two-year period for their family to register starts on the day of the death of the WTC victim.

Many people have tried to complete the VCF application on their own, only to learn that it requires answers to hundreds of questions and many documents to download. It would be our pleasure to help you complete the process to ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled. Please contact us for a free consultation.