Research indicates that 9/11 first responders are twice as likely as the general public to develop a disease that can turn into blood cancer, leading to an increasing number of cases of 9/11 first responders cancer.

In 2011, a study showed that 9/11 responders were more likely than other people to get many different types of cancer, because they were exposed to a range of toxins after the terrorist attacks.

During and after the attacks, many different cancer-causing toxins were released into the air in the form of dust and other debris. Many people breathed in these carcinogens as they worked to save the lives of people affected by the attacks, and as they spent time around Ground Zero after the attacks.

Unfortunately, new research by the authors of the same study suggest that the cancer risk may be even more severe than previously thought, according to a Quartz article. In April, JAMA Oncology published research suggesting that 9/11 first responders are twice as likely to develop myeloma precursor disease than other people. Myeloma precursor disease can lead to multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that causes cancer cells to develop in the bone marrow and effectively crowd out normal healthy blood cells in the body.

In some cases, developing myeloma precursor disease is not dangerous to a patient. The danger occurs when the disease progresses and becomes multiple myeloma. Reportedly, people who develop multiple myeloma almost lawyers develop myeloma precursor disease first.

Already, 9/11 first responders cancer is a very real problem. Cancer cases among first responders is already reported to be higher than cancer cases among the general New York state population.

JAMA Oncology protected that medical costs needed to treat 9/11 first responders cancer would be more than $235 million.

Happily, people who are affected by 9/11 first responders cancer can turn to the Victims Compensation Fund set up to help victims of 9/11 and their families. These funds not only compensate families of those who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, but can offer compensation to those affected by 9/11, but who survived.

Initially, many people who survived 9/11 were turned away from the Victims Compensation Fund because they were determined to be “not injured enough.” However, later research showed that people were developing cancer and other conditions years after 9/11, that resulted from their exposure to toxins released during and after the attacks. In light of this research, more people were able to receive compensation for their injury and illness caused by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Many people who were first responders have been able to receive compensation from the Victims Compensation Fund. Those affected by 9/11 First Responders cancer have been able to receive funds for medical bills, compensation for lost wages due to missed work, compensation for emotional pain and suffering, and other costs. Those who lost a family member because of 9/11 first responders cancer can receive compensation for emotional injury, medical costs and lost wages of the deceased, and other injuries.