Veterans, Military Service, and Cancer Risk
Every year, about 50,000 new cancer cases are reported in Veterans. As more Veterans get older, this number is expected to rise. Many people don’t think about how military service could lead to serious health issues, like cancer, many years later, especially from exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation.
Veterans have been facing cancer related to their service since World War I when they were exposed to dangerous substances. During World War II, some Veterans were exposed to radiation from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Most people know about Agent Orange, a chemical used during the Vietnam War that is linked to several types of cancer, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Additionally, many Veterans have been exposed to asbestos, which increases their risk of developing serious diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The connection between military service and a higher risk of cancer is something we must pay attention to.
Possible Causes for Increased Cancer Risk in Veterans
| Exposure | Associated Cancers |
| Radiation (from nuclear bombs) | Bile duct cancer Bone cancer Breast cancer Colon cancer Esophageal cancer Gall bladder cancer Liver cancer Lung cancer Pancreatic cancer Pharynx cancer Salivary gland cancer Small intestine cancer Stomach cancer Thyroid cancer Kidney cancer Bladder cancer Leukemia (except CLL) Lymphoma (except Hodgkin disease) Multiple Myeloma |
| Ionized radiation (from nuclear-powered ship/submarines) | All cancers |
| Nerve gas/chemical weapons | Brain cancer |
| Agent Orange or other herbicides | Chronic B-cell leukemia Hodgkin Lymphoma Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Lung Cancer Larynx Cancer Trachea Cancer Bronchus Cancer Some soft tissue sarcomas Bladder Cancer |
| Asbestos | Lung cancer Mesothelioma |
| Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune | Adult leukemia Aplastic anemia Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) Bladder cancer Kidney cancer Liver cancer Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma |
| Burn Pit/Gulf War Associated Exposures | Brain Cancer inc. Glioblastoma Gastrointestinal cancer (any type) Kidney Cancer Lymphatic Cancer Lymphoma (any type) Melanoma Head and Neck Cancer (any type) Pancreatic Cancer Reproductive Cancer (any type; men and women) Respiratory Cancer (any type) |
Healthcare
Most Veterans qualify for some level of health care coverage. This coverage is dependent on their service history and/or injuries they may have sustained in combat or service. They must not have been dishonorably discharged from the service to be eligible. To start the application process:
- Call 1-877-222-VETS or go to www.va.gov/healthbenefits.
- Be sure to have as much information about your military service as you can, as well as any potential exposures to cancer-causing agents while you were serving.
- You do not need your DD214 (discharge summary) to apply for benefits. However, you can order one through www.archives.gov/veterans.
Disability
The Veterans Administration (VA), presumes that many disabilities, including the cancers listed above, were caused by exposure during military service. This means that veterans and survivors of veterans with cancer that is connected to service-related exposure can collect disability compensation from the VA.