The list of 9/11 cancer types showing up among first responders to Ground Zero keeps growing.

According to Business Insider, some of those exposed to the toxic dust on that day and during the following days and months of the cleanup through May 2002 are developing prostate cancer as early as their 30s and 40s.

The development of this prostate cancer is not unusual for men in general. Prostate cancer is very common among men and is the second leading cancer to cause death among males, despite a steadily improving prognostic outlook. The most common cancer among men is lung cancer—which in the life of a first responder would be a much more logical outcome given the amount of inhaled toxic dust.

According to a new study published by Mt. Sinai Health Researchers and reported by WebMD, a connection might have been made between the inhalation and ingestion of the toxic dust and the later development of prostate cancer. Inflammation triggered by the dust is believed to be a potential factor.

There has long been a mystery surrounding this disease and very little is actually understood about its origins. What has become apparent in recent years is that inflammation is part of the picture.

Data from the study indicated that many first responders suffered chronic prostate inflammation after their exposure to the toxic cloud that was part of Ground Zero rescue and cleanup efforts.

The referenced reports do not claim a direct relationship between the dust and prostate cancer, but a relationship between engendered inflammation and later diagnoses in the demographic. Part of the study involved the use of rats and remaining samples of dust from the site.

Both the rats and samples of prostate cancer victims that had served their country unquestioningly during the terrorist attacks gave a clear indication of immune cell markers for inflammation. It is hoped that this study will help with the development of targeted treatments for first responders and help sufferers of this disease from the general population.

The Victim’s Compensation Fund and 9/11 Cancer Types

The list of serious ailments affecting our 9/11 heroes is expanding every day. Some of this expansion is due to inherent latency periods that are a part of some cancers like mesothelioma—an asbestos-related cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity, the lining of the heart, and sometimes the testes. This cancer can take an average of 30 years from exposure to be diagnosed.

As indicated by CNN, recent pleading by comedian and activist Jon Stewart has resulted in a promise to continue to fund the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund which is running out of appropriate congressional funding.

The VCF was started immediately after the attacks and was kept open for two years before its initial shutdown. Due to a growing body of 9/11 sufferers, it was reopened during the Obama administration but faces closure in 2020 without further legislative attention.

A House panel recently passed a bill that will extend the Victims’ Compensation Fund, but it still has several legislative paths he needs to take before it hits the president’s desk.