17 Male Breast Cancer Victims Have Ties to Camp Lejeune Marine Base

Veterans with rare cancer or tumors identify Camp Lejeune water as the source of their illnesses.

(CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.) - A growing number of men who drank contaminated water at the Camp Lejeune Marine base in North Carolina, have breast cancer.

The AP reported Wednesday, that scientists studying the water at the base were "startled" after learning that 11 men with breast cancer and ties to the North Carolina base were identified over the last two years. Over the course of the next week, 6 more men with breast cancer who were aboard Camp Lejeune were discovered.

That is thanks to an article in the St. Petersburg Times last week about the 11 men with the rare disease. Of the six, five had suffered from breast cancer. One of the men received a double mastectomy when doctors discovered precancerous tumors.

Breast cancer survivor Mike Partain was quoted by The AP saying, "This male breast cancer cluster is a smoking gun," "You just can't ignore it. You don't need science to tell you something is wrong. It's common sense. It begs to be studied."

Mike Partain of Tallahassee, Florida, was born at Camp Lejeune. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Mike has been an excellent contact for our reports here at Salem-News.com and worked long and hard hours to help locate the other men with breast cancer that is connected to Camp Lejeune.

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James Holm October 8, 2012 9:39 am (Pacific time)

I served in Vietnam Nov. 1968 to Nov. 1969 as an infantryman. I was exposed to agent orange orange several times during my tour. We actually drank water from streams and other sources after the chemical was sprayed. Halazone tabs didn't help with the chemicals.
I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in October 2003 and male breast cancer in May 2010. I'm still undergoing treatments for the breast cancer and have experienced some serious side effects.
I am currently appealing a denial for the breast cancer and I plan to re-file for rectal cancer.Good luck to all who are still suffering from Viet Nam!

Editor: Power on brother!

James Holm October 8, 2012 9:37 am (Pacific time)

I served in Vietnam Nov. 1968 to Nov. 1969 as an infantryman. I was exposed to agent orange orange several times during my tour. We actually drank water from streams and other sources after the chemical was sprayed. Halazone tabs didn't help with the chemicals. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in October 2003 and male breast cancer in May 2010. I'm still undergoing treatments for the breast cancer and have experienced some serious side effects. I am currently appealing a denial for the breast cancer and I plan to re-file for rectal cancer.Good luck to all who are still suffering from Viet Nam!

Ed Hughes 2266403 November 4, 2009 11:38 am (Pacific time)

Camp Lejune 1966, Nam 1967, surgery for breast cancer 2009, and praying for all

Anonymous September 27, 2009 2:00 am (Pacific time)

My brother was at camp Lejune in the late sixties. He led a healthy life, no smoking or drinking, but came back from the service more eccentric. I assumed the circumstance was emotional. He worked and cared for himself until he fell in the bathtub and we discovered he had a brain tumor the size of one side of his brain and it had began pressing into the other side. He died at the hospital last November. He donated his body to science so there should be documentation. Our people lived long and there is no history of this type of illness. I am shocked about the information regarding Camp Lejune. Why weren't people notified so they could have been checked? The entire story is a disgrace. Patricia at taylors234@aol.com I would appreciate any information possible. Thank you.

Van Sanderson July 9, 2009 12:07 pm (Pacific time)

There are other substances that can cause breast cancer that the military used many years ago in the US(all over the world) and that is DDT. I don't believe there are any studies of men and this cancer but there has been in woman. This insecticide and other pesticides were used on our military installations. I don't know if it would have anything to do with Lejeune or even if it was used there. The TCE I'm certain causes many health maladies. Lejeune is the tip of the iceberg for TCE contamination and our military. The DoD can't allow compensation for these sick veterans and their families. I don't believe any studies by the IOM, NIH, or NAS can be trusted. As a nation we have been down this road before with Atomic vets, vets exposed to Agent Orange and Gulf War Illness. There are many vets pulling for you and are willing to help. Good Luck!

Mike Partain July 9, 2009 6:03 am (Pacific time)

Thank you for spreading the word. I know there are more out there. Right now we are working leads on three more possible cases...

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