Noteboom The Law Firm

Veterans Face High Rates Of Lung Cancer

December 3, 2010 - Veteran populations develop twice as many cases of lung cancer as civilian populations. Despite that statistic, the veteran population also smokes 1½ times as many cigarettes as civilian populations. Even though lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, combat environments encourage smoking among military personnel.

A 1987 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) study found 58% more Vietnam Marine ground troops died from lung cancer than Marines never deployed to Vietnam. Agent Orange has also been found to contribute to the amount of Marines with lung cancer.

The Institute of Medicine (IM) performed a study of soldiers exposed to depleted uranium in the first Gulf War. Depleted uranium emits radioactive and potentially carcinogenic decay products. The 2008 study update made reviewing the link between depleted uranium and lung cancer a "high priority." Of other carcinogens they studied, the IM found combustion products strongly associated with lung cancer.

The Institute is also studying potential links between lung cancer and:

• Fuel exhausts;
• Burning oil wells producing smoke; and
• Kerosene cookers heaters in close quarters.

Study after study has shown the best way to lower the lung cancer mortality rate is through early detection and advanced treatment alternatives. It has recently been shown using CT screening among high-risk populations can reduce lung cancer deaths. Further, CT scanning can detect lung cancer in time to cure 92% of cases.

Even with these impressive results, funding for lung cancer research is lower than other cancers. Congress has given the Department of Defense (DoD) funds to be used for early detection. The DoD has not implemented the required initiative as quickly as hoped while every year the VA spends over $1 billion treating the disease.