Veterans and Cancer Risk

By Amy Litterini, PT, DPT

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, while the percent of the US adult population of veterans is 6.6%, an estimated 11.2% of our Maine state residents have a history of military service. As we celebrate our veterans’ service and sacrifices this Veterans Day, the special considerations of cancer risk and cancer incidence among those who’ve served comes to mind. Due to the potential unique exposure to various chemical, environmental, occupational and warfare agent substances during military service, some veterans may have a higher risk for certain types of cancer. Substances such as Agent Orange, asbestos, mustard gas, PFAS chemicals and radiation are known to be potentially cancer-causing, as is environmental exposure to air pollutants such as burn pits, water contamination (e.g. Camp Lejeune) and some waste incinerators (e.g. the Naval Air Facility in Atsugi, Japan).

At the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network, we’re honored to care for our many veterans on a daily basis across our health system. Communicating with primary care providers about exposure risk factors is an important step. Receiving the necessary cancer screening and accessing routine medical visits are key to early detection and treatment. The VA has established a National Oncology Program specializing in veteran’s cancer care. The American Society for Clinical Oncology has published resources about cancer risk for veterans HERE, and for veterans with cancer HERE. Discuss your individual cancer risk and cancer screening protocol with your provider.