New research indicates that leukemia rates are higher among first responders and workers who have been diagnosed with 9/11 health effects when compared to the population at large.

The researchers believe that other types of 9/11 cancers will be diagnosed more frequently in the coming years, largely due to long latency periods (the amount of time between exposure to a carcinogen and diagnosis).

The 9/11 cancer study was first published online in November of 2019 and will appear in print in the February 2020 issue of JNCI Cancer Spectrum.

Grim Statistics

Out of the nearly 77,000 9/11 first responders and site workers who have enrolled in the WTC Health Program, almost 14 percent have been diagnosed with some form of cancer. Over 360 of those diagnoses have been leukemia. Over the past two decades, approximately 2,270 have died from cancer and other 9/11 health effects.

Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly indicated that around 400,000 New Yorkers suffer exposure to toxins that included asbestos, silica dust, pulverized concrete, dioxins, aviation fuel and more.

The Study

According to the Wall Street Journal, the research team, led by Dr. Moishe Shapiro of the Mount Sinai Hospital Icahn School of Medicine, looked at records of approximately 28,000 workers and first responders who averaged 38 years old as of September 11, 2001, following them from July of 2002 to the end of December 2013. A total of 1,072 instances of cancer were discovered in 999 of the subjects; in addition to leukemia, cancer of the prostate and thyroid were the most prevalent. Unsurprisingly, those who were tobacco users were at greater risk for these 9/11 health effects, as well as those older than the median age.

There were some limitations to the study; for example, because of a lack of specific records, it was not possible to establish a relationship between the amount, intensity or type of toxic exposure and the onset and/or severity of the disease.

Other 9/11 Health Effects

In addition to leukemia and tumors of the prostate and thyroid, other 9/11-related cancers include non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, mesothelioma, and malignancies affecting the colon, kidneys, stomach, head and throat, bone, liver, and brain, among many others. In addition to cancer, 9/11 diseases that are covered under the WTC Health Program include:

• asthma
• chronic inflammation of the nose, throat, and sinuses
• gastric reflux disease
• sleep apnea
• COPD

While not eligible for payments from the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund, a number of mental health conditions are eligible for treatment through the WTC Health program. Among these are:

• anxiety or stress disorders
• depression
• panic disorders
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• substance abuse and addiction

Applying for WTC Health Program Benefits

For those suffering from 9/11 health effects as well as the long-term consequences of certain related injuries, the WTC Health Program offers ongoing medical monitoring and treatment free of charge when obtained through approved health care providers. The program is administered through the Centers for Disease Control; candidates can submit applications and supporting documentation through the CDC website.