By: Jonathan Sharp,
CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C.
Nevada is home to more than 205,600 veterans who have served honorably in our country’s defense. Yet for many, that noble service has come with a hidden and deadly cost: asbestos exposure. This mineral naturally occurs in certain types of rock and soil and was widely used in military infrastructure. However, exposure to this material can cause scarring and inflammation of body tissues, which may eventually lead to mesothelioma, an unusual but fatal form of cancer.
Tragically, this disease develops slowly, and its early symptoms resemble those of common illnesses. Because of this, it is frequently misdiagnosed and only detected when it has already progressed to a late stage, where treatment options are limited and health outcomes dramatically worsen. Establishing a national mesothelioma registry would close this gap by flagging at-risk veterans and encouraging them to undergo screenings to facilitate early detection and ensure that affected individuals receive the care they deserve.
The Overlooked Risk of Mesothelioma Among Nevada Veterans
Military service has long been associated with various occupational hazards, but one of the most persistent and underrecognized is asbestos exposure. Throughout much of the 20th century, this fibrous mineral was extensively used in military facilities, ships, aircraft, and vehicles due to its fire-resistant properties. Yet unknown to many, even minimal contact with asbestos poses a serious health risk as its tiny and airborne fibers can easily lodge in human tissues when inhaled and ingested. These embedded minerals can lead to chronic inflammation and cellular damage that can escalate to mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that has claimed the lives of nearly 55,000 Americans from 1999 to 2020. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the protective layer of the lungs or the chest wall. However, the disease can also develop in the abdominal lining or the sac surrounding the heart.
What makes mesothelioma particularly dangerous is how often it goes unrecognized. Its symptoms—such as respiratory distress, fatigue, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, and fever—develop slowly and may not appear until 15 to 40 years after initial asbestos exposure. This extended latency period, combined with the nonspecific nature of the cancer, contributes to frequent misdiagnosis, which delays access to specialized care and reduces patients’ survival chances. Accordingly, such diagnostic errors typically occur in the early stages, although they are also alarmingly prevalent in the late stages.
The impact of this issue is apparent in Nevada’s public health data. Between 1999 and 2017, the Silver State recorded 1,781 asbestos-related deaths, of which 333 were associated with mesothelioma. Clark County alone accounted for 1,087 of those fatalities. Many of these victims may have been exposed to asbestos during their decades of military service in contaminated sites, such as Nellis Air Force Base and Creech Air Force Base. Currently, veterans represent roughly 30% of the 3,000 mesothelioma diagnoses yearly. Addressing this challenge requires more than awareness—it demands a coordinated, data-informed response.
A National Registry Can Help Achieve Better Patient Outcomes
Creating a national mesothelioma registry is a crucial step in tackling diagnostic delays and improving health outcomes for high-risk groups, like veterans. A centralized and real-time system could help clinicians better recognize early symptom patterns, differentiate mesothelioma from more common conditions, and apply consistent diagnostic protocols across institutions. As such, they can also facilitate the accurate and earlier identification of the disease and provide crucial treatment, making a significant difference in patients’ survival and quality of life.
In addition to enhancing clinical practice, a national registry would serve as a powerful resource for medical research. Currently, the lag in case reporting, which often takes several years, poses significant challenges for researchers studying disease trends, treatment responses, and long-term outcomes. A more responsive system would enable scientists to analyze current data, identify risk clusters, and refine screening strategies. It could also accelerate the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies tailored to the complex nature of mesothelioma.
Yet achieving this goal will require federal commitment, sustained funding, and strategic collaboration among public health agencies, cancer centers, and veteran-focused medical networks. Only through such coordinated effort can the registry become a reliable and long-term solution—one that supports both immediate clinical needs and the broader mission of preventing future cases.
About the Author
Jonathan Sharp serves as the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., a firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides legal assistance to victims of environmental toxic exposure.
