In the military, veterans risked their lives fighting for their country. Now, many veterans are fighting to save their lives from service-related cancers.
During their service, veterans were not told to worry about the effects that Agent Orange, asbestos or ionizing radiation could have on their health. Now, however, these cancer-causing substances have caused thousands of veterans to develop life-threatening malignancies.
Certain groups were more prone to encounter specific carcinogens than others. For example, Navy veterans faced higher asbestos exposure risks, while Agent Orange affected Vietnam War veterans. However, veterans from all branches (and all time periods) have a generally elevated risk for service-connected conditions.
Some of the most common cancers that veterans are now fighting include:
- Mesothelioma Cancer (caused by asbestos exposure)
- Lung cancer (caused by asbestos and Agent Orange exposure)
- Prostate cancer (caused by herbicide exposure)
- Skin cancer (caused by ionizing radiation)
The rates for some of these cancers are disproportionately high among U.S. veterans. For example, veterans make up more than 30 percent of all patients who are diagnosed with mesothelioma. ?Because of the high link between certain conditions and military carcinogen exposure, however, the VA provides multiple health care resources to veterans.
How Veterans can Fight Cancer
Several VA hospitals have emerged as leaders in asbestos cancer care. The Boston VA Healthcare System and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System both employ world-renowned mesothelioma experts, while other VA hospitals have earned national honors in their areas of cancer expertise.
A 2012 study found that the survival rates for certain cancers were higher among patients who obtained care through the VHA (as opposed to patients who obtained treatment through Medicare). The VHA?s survival rates were higher for older male patients with colon cancer and non-small lung cancer, while the rates were comparable for small cell lung cancer, rectal cancer and multiple myeloma.
The Department of Health Care Policy, who conducted the study, noted that the elevated survival rates in the VHA were correlated with higher rates of early diagnosis. Within any health care system, veterans who are diagnosed earlier in their cancer?s progression typically have a wider range of treatment options, as well as a more positive prognosis.
To take advantage of the benefits of early diagnosis, veterans should not wait until symptoms arise to see a doctor. Veterans should contact their local VHA hospital or clinic to schedule a comprehensive health screening before they note negative health effects.
If the pre-emptive screenings detect abnormalities caused by service-related carcinogenic exposure, patients can begin exploring their treatment options. Many VA hospitals provide radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery, while several clinics offer additional alternative therapies. VA benefits are also available to help veterans pay for their medical care.
Sources:
Landrum, M. ?Survival of Older Patients With Cancer in the Veterans Health Administration Versus Fee-for-Service Medicare.? Journal of Clinical Oncology. 30.10 (2012 ): 1072-1079 . Print. <http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/30/10/1072>.
Author bio: Faith Franz researches and writes about health-related issues for The Mesothelioma Center. One of her focuses is living with cancer.
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Source: http://veterans.ucsd.edu/2012/08/veterans-fighting-cancer/
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