Mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the lung, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Many veterans have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the military. Because of long dormancy periods, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can remain undetected for over a decade before the patient shows any signs of illness. An exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. Please visit Mesothelioma Web for more information. Also check out the page specifically for veterans: Mesothelioma Info for Veterans.