9/11 Cancer List

Cancer may be in the body for a period of time—even a decade or more— before symptoms develop. For victims of the 9/11 attack, getting a diagnosis of cancer becomes the lasting legacy of one of the worst days in our history. The toxins released into the atmosphere contained many known carcinogens (the substances that promote the formation of cancer) including asbestos, lead, mercury, cadmium, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and benzene, among others.

It was perhaps best described by Dr. Michael Crane of the World Trade Center Health Program: “We will never know the composition of that cloud, because the wind carried it away, but people were breathing and eating it. What we do know is that it had all kinds of god-awful things in it. Burning jet fuel. Plastics, metal, fiberglass, asbestos. It was thick, terrible stuff. A witch’s brew.”

For the responders, volunteers, workers, residents and students who were present in the exposure zone on that day and up to May 30, 2002, and who have developed a 9/11-related cancer, help is available through the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).

First responders who attended Ground Zero fared very poorly, health-wise, in the aftermath of the attacks.

As well as the many respiratory problems they suffered, their exposure led to an elevated risk of developing cancer:

• 25% increased risk of prostate cancer
• 219% increased risk of thyroid cancer
• 41% increased risk of leukemia

Responders are 30 percent more likely to get certain cancers than others of a similar age, but they are not the only ones whose health was affected by the toxic dust cloud.

People who lived, worked, or studied in the exposure zone for up to nine months after the attacks have also suffered. For these victims (or their family members) who have not yet sought assistance for 9/11 cancers and other health conditions, it’s not too late to register to receive the required medical assistance and seek compensation from two federal benefits programs initiated under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (2010).

• The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP): free medical care, monitoring, and medication for approved physical and psychological conditions related to 9/11.
• The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF): financial compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, replacement services, and medical conditions.

It’s worth noting that a 35-percent higher cancer survival rate is associated with the free cancer monitoring and care provided by the WTC Health Program compared to the average cancer patient in the U.S.

What was in the 9/11 toxic dust cloud?

The 9/11 toxic dust cloud included many lethal chemicals and other substances that are known health risks when inhaled. These included:

• Pulverized glass
• Cement dust particles
• Heavy metals
• Asbestos (up to 2,000 pounds)
• Synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs)
• Cadmium and polychlorinated biphenyls (known carcinogens)
• Persistent organic pollutants like dioxins (known carcinogens)
• Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (byproducts of jet fuel)

Even three months after the attacks, fires would reignite and release new toxins into the atmosphere.

As responders flocked to Ground Zero to help with cleanup and survivors did what they were asked to do and returned to live, work, and study in the area south of Houston Street** in Lower Manhattan, they were not made aware of how many health risks they were exposing themselves to. Wall Street re-opened on September 17, 2001.

The following are just some of the 9/11 cancer types for which benefits are available from the Victim Compensation Fund:

Lung cancer and mesothelioma

Particularly from asbestos exposure, with numbers rising every year.

Leukemia

Survivors have a 41% higher chance of developing leukemia than the average U.S. citizen of the same age.

Prostate cancer

Aggressive versions of this cancer are far more common in responders than in other U.S. men of the same age.

Colon cancer

Often a secondary cancer that is triggered following a previous 9/11-related cancer diagnosis.

Thyroid cancer

One of the most common types of cancer linked to exposure to Ground Zero toxins after 9/11—but survival rates are better than for many other cancers.

Skin cancer

Another common 9-11 related cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma) that is usually treatable.

Brain cancer

These are sometimes secondary tumors related to a previous 9/11-related cancer diagnosis.

Among many other 9/11 connected cancers are:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Digestive system cancer
• Eye cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Soft tissue cancer (sarcoma)

Other serious illnesses besides cancer have consistently afflicted large numbers of responders and survivors too. Most commonly, these include:

• Aerodigestive disorders: respiratory and digestive orders are some of the most common. These include asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and chronic rhinosinusitis/nasal inflammation.
• Psychological disorders: these include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The VCF does not compensate for psychological conditions, but free healthcare monitoring and benefits are provided by the WTCHP.
• Neurological disorders: these include mild cognitive impairment and peripheral neuropathy, disorders that are not currently covered by the WTCHP, but which are under investigation for potential addition to the list.

Under the Zadroga Act cancer list, screening and medical care is available to victims of 9/11 for certified WTC-related health problems. Cancer coverage under the WTCHP began in October of 2012.

For first responders, all treatment is covered by the program (unless covered under workers’ compensation), but victims must use the pharmacies and health care providers affiliated with the program. Survivors get the same treatment as first responders—including monitoring, screening, and medications. The only difference is that the WTCHP program covers only that portion not paid for by the survivor’s primary insurance, whether public (for instance, Medicare) or private insurance.

Those who feel their cancer is 9/11-related should get screened immediately to ensure the best possible outcome for any diagnosis.

Financial compensation is done through the Victim Compensation Fund and is available to those who have been diagnosed with a 9/11 cancer or illness. This is not limited to first responders, but also to those who worked, lived, went to school, or volunteered in the clean up in the exposure zone. Monetary compensation for 9/11 cancer victims is intended to cover economic losses such as loss of earnings, household services, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and in the worst of all cases, funeral costs.

There is a critical timeline for registering with the VCF. Those who have not yet registered with the VCF must, in most circumstances, do so not later than July 29, 2021 in order to preserve their right to file a claim. If you do not register by July 29, 2021 you may still be eligible, so long as it is within two years from the date you knew your condition was 9/11-related. The deadline for claim submission is October 1, 2090.

As a September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund lawyers, we were witness to the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. That gives us the additional passion and dedication to helping people who have been injured, made ill, or who have contracted cancer as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Our track record of obtaining maximum VCF cancer payouts for our clients is a result of that commitment. This includes an award of $1,892,969.00 for a victim of 9/11 pancreatic cancer.

Our 9/11 lawyers have the skill and experience needed to help victims get the medical care and financial compensation they need to move forward. To learn more about how we can help, please contact us online or call us directly at 212-983-3000 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.

** Numerous advertisements and media outlets are informing New Yorkers about their possible eligibility for 9/11 benefits if they were in Lower Manhattan during the attacks and suffer from health conditions due to toxic dust exposure. At Weisfuse & Weisfuse LLP, we emphasize that the “exposure zone” isn’t limited to Canal Street but can extend further to Houston Street.