Radiation exposure is a silent threat that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. One group particularly vulnerable to this threat is the individuals known as “downwinders.”
These are people who live downwind from nuclear testing sites or other sources of radiation, and they face an increased risk of developing cancer as a result.
Let’s delve into the world of downwinders, how radiations impact human health, common types of downwinders cancer, and what compensations are available for downwinders.
Understanding Downwinders
The term “Downwinders” refers to individuals exposed to radioactive contamination or nuclear fallout from atmospheric or underground nuclear weapons testing. This exposure often led to various forms of cancer, commonly referred to as Downwinders Cancer.
Between 1945 and 1980, the United States conducted more than 1,000 nuclear tests, many of which were above ground. People living downwind of these tests, particularly in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, were unknowingly exposed to harmful radiation.
Understanding Radiation Exposure
Radiation refers to the energy that travels in the form of waves or particles. It occurs naturally in our environment – sunlight, for instance, is a form of radiation.
However, high levels of certain types of radiation can damage tissue and DNA in cells, leading to illnesses like cancer.
Nuclear tests release ionizing radiation, which is harmful. When a nuclear bomb detonates, it releases several types of ionizing radiation, including gamma rays and alpha and beta particles. These can travel long distances through air, contaminating vast areas and populations.
How Radiation Impacts Our Health
Radiation is a double-edged sword. It has beneficial uses in medical diagnostics and treatment but can also be harmful if not properly controlled.
Ionizing radiation is particularly dangerous. When it penetrates the body, it can damage the DNA within our cells. Over time, this damage can lead to the uncontrolled growth of cells, known as cancer.
For Downwinders, the exposure was not through medical procedures, but through the air, they breathed, the water they drank, and the food they ate, showing how pervasive and insidious this threat can be.
The Most Common Types of Downwinders Cancer
The most common types of cancer reported among Downwinders include:
- Bile Duct Cancer: A rare form of cancer that occurs in the small, tube-like bile ducts in the liver.
- Bladder Cancer: Cancer that starts in the bladder, often caused by changes in the bladder cells.
- Brain Cancer: A disease characterized by the growth of abnormal cells in the brain.
- Breast Cancer: A type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. It can occur in both men and women.
- Colon Cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon), typically affecting older adults.
- Esophagus Cancer: Cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long, hollow tube that connects your throat to your stomach.
- Gallbladder Cancer: A rare form of cancer that begins in the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile.
- Leukemias (except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia): Cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.
- Liver Cancer: Cancer that begins in the cells of the liver.
- Lung Cancer: A type of cancer that starts in the lungs.
- Lymphomas (except for Hodgkin’s disease): A group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system.
- Multiple Myeloma: A cancer of plasma cells, immune system cells in the bone marrow that produce antibodies.
- Nasal Pharynx Cancer: A rare type of cancer that occurs in the nasopharynx, the part of the throat behind the nose.
- Ovarian Cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the ovaries.
- Pancreas Cancer: A type of cancer that starts in the tissues of the pancreas.
- Rectal Cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the rectum, the last several inches of the large intestine.
- Salivary Gland Cancer: A rare form of cancer that begins in the salivary glands in your mouth, neck, or throat.
- Small Intestine Cancer: A rare form of cancer that occurs in the small intestine, the part of your digestive system between your stomach and large intestine.
- Stomach Cancer: Also known as gastric cancer, it is a type of cancer that begins in the stomach lining.
- Thyroid Cancer: A type of cancer that starts in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck.
Radiation Exposure Benefits for Downwinders
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a U.S. federal law that provides payments to individuals who contracted certain cancers and other diseases as a direct result of exposure to atmospheric nuclear testing conducted by the United States during the Cold War.
To be eligible for RECA benefits as a Downwinder, a person must have received a diagnosis of a type of cancer from the aforementioned downwinders cancer list due to radiation exposure.
The compensation provided under RECA is a one-time, lump-sum payment. For Downwinders, the compensation is typically $50,000.
Spouses, children, or grandchildren can also claim compensation on behalf of deceased family members who meet the criteria for the compensation program.
Get Help with Your Claims
At The National Cancer Benefits Center (NCBC), we have a team of providers who assist individuals in collecting compensation due to them under the Downwinders Compensation Program. We can help you gather all necessary documents, complete and submit the application, and follow up with any additional information needed by the Department of Justice.
For more information, call us at (800) 414-4328 or request your visit online. We look forward to helping you!
