The railroad cancer lawyers at Doran & Murphy have seen an incredible rise in the number of railroad workers being diagnosed with colon cancer and rectal cancer. What is equally shocking is the number of young railroad workers (under 60 and even under 50 years old) being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has estimated that over 10% of new colorectal cancer cases occur in persons younger than 50 years old! (1)
What causes colon and rectal cancer in railroad workers?
While there are certain cancer genes that can run in families, which have been linked to colon cancer, genetic testing, which is now commonly done, can easily rule out those hereditary causes for our railroad clients with colorectal cancer. (2) So what can cause colon and rectal cancer in railroad workers?
- Asbestos
- Diesel Exhaust / Diesel Fumes
- Chemicals
- Degreasers
- Solvents
Exposure to these substances is very familiar to railroad workers given that the dusts and fumes generated by these substances were widely present in railroad yards, shops and locomotives. Thankfully, some railroads did the right thing and provided respiratory protection or took other steps to minimize exposures. Disappointingly, other railroads ignored safety protocols which resulted in unnecessary and unsafe exposures for workers. Prior blogs have highlighted the risks and presence of asbestos, diesel exhaust, degreasers/solvents and welding fumes in railroad operations.
Colon and Rectal Cancer – Early Detection and Screening Saves Lives
Colon and rectal cancer are common. The American Cancer Society estimates that this year there will be 108,860 new cases of colon cancer, plus another 49,990 new cases of rectal cancer. (3)
People with colon cancer and rectal cancer often experience certain symptoms leading up to diagnosis:
- Changes in bowel habits
- Blood in their stools
- Discomfort, cramping or pain in the belly area
- Fatigue, weakness or tiredness
- Unintentional weight loss
These symptoms should not be ignored. When detected early, cancer is more easily treated and the survival rates greatly improve. Regular colonoscopies are an invaluable tool to detect early-stage cancer. While no one relishes the idea of periodic colonoscopies, colon cancer screening could mean the difference between life and death. The American Cancer Society currently recommends colon cancer screening for everyone starting at age 45. (4) Up until 2021, the recommendation was for colon cancer screening to begin at age 50. However, a surge in the number of young people being diagnosed with colon cancer led to lowering the recommended screening to age 45.
Compensation is Available for Railroad Workers
Railroad workers who are diagnosed with colon cancer or rectal cancer should not just assume that their cancer “just happened.” Workplace exposures to hazardous substances have been linked to all different types of cancer, not just colorectal cancer. (5) If you or a loved one worked for the railroad and have developed cancer, contact the railroad cancer lawsuit attorneys at Doran and Murphy for a free, confidential consultation to learn about your legal rights to compensation under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act. Time limitations apply, so you should not delay!
(1) https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening
(2) Some of the hereditary causes of colorectal cancer include Lynch Syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, and APCI1307K
(3) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
(5) Toxic substances found in the railroad industry have been linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia (AML, CML, ALL, CLL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myelodysplasia syndrome, and other cancer types.
