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US Military Veterans and Cancer

United States military veterans often face unique health challenges, and in some cases might have a higher risk for some cancers because of exposure to carcinogens during service. Here we offer vital information on understanding these risks, as well as ways to help lower your risk. Veterans with cancer can find resources for health care services, support groups, and financial help. Your service and sacrifice are deeply valued. Explore these resources and take charge of your health with confidence.

What can increase veterans’ cancer risk?

Some veterans of the US Armed Forces may have been exposed to substances, chemicals, and hazards during their military service that can lead to health problems. Some health problems show up quickly after an exposure, but many don’t cause problems or symptoms for months to years after exposure.

Some exposures can cause cancer to develop later in life. This means veterans could be at a higher risk for certain types of cancer depending on what they may have been exposed to during their service. In fact, the Veterans Administration (VA) estimates more than 50,000 cancer cases are diagnosed every year in VA health systems.

If you are a US veteran, talk with your doctor or health care team about your possible exposures. They can help you figure out your cancer risk and create a care plan that includes actions you can take to help prevent cancer or lower your risk. They may recommend genetic testing for cancer risk. They can also work with you to understand what cancer screening tests you need, when they should start, and how often you should be tested. 

Chemicals, substances, and hazards veterans may be exposed to (or were exposed to in the past) that increase cancer risk include:

  • Agent Orange was a type of herbicide used by the US military. It is no longer being used.
  • Burn Pits were used by the US military to burn different types of waste in the open air.
  • Asbestos exposure could have happened from being in buildings with older insulation at home or work.
  • Radiation exposure could have been from low or high energy form sources like x-rays.
  • PFOA, PFOS, and related PFAS chemicals are lab-made chemicals are found in some foods and drinking water in places like communities and workplaces.

To get more information based on the location or conflict where you served, health care providers can download Exposure Ed, a mobile app created by the Veteran's Health Administration. You can also download the mobile app and discuss with your health care provider.

How can veterans lower cancer risk?

Eating healthy, staying at a healthy weight, not smoking, avoiding alcohol, and getting regular physical activity may be helpful to prevent or reduce your risk of cancer.

Questions to ask your health care team

  • Are there any health risks that are known to be connected to my military service?
  • Are there certain types of cancer I might be at risk for?
  • Can regular screenings prevent cancer?
  • Does the VA have benefits that can help me and my family? What are the benefits?
  • Where can I find more information about my military exposure that may be harmful?

Learn more and get support

Information from the American Cancer Society:

More resources to quit smoking:

  • SmokefreeVet: Support to help veterans quit smoking from the National Institutes of Health.
  • Stay Quit Coach: A mobile app from the VA to help veterans quit smoking.

Veterans living with cancer

If you’re a veteran who’s been diagnosed with cancer, you can find information for wherever you are in your cancer journey.

Understanding your diagnosis:

During and after treatment:

 

Questions to ask your cancer care team

  • Could I have been exposed to harmful things that might cause cancer during the time I served?
  • Should I get any special test to find out if my military duties might have put me at risk for other cancers?
  • Can I get cancer treatment  at the VA or do I have to go other places?
  • Are there any clinical trials for veterans with cancer?

Caring for your mental health 

As a veteran, you have seen things that many people have not. Situations you’ve been in and memories you have can cause stress, anxiety, fear, and depression. You may have been through things that caused fear or mental and emotional trauma, such as living through or being injured in a conflict or war. Learn about mental health and emotional challenges and how to cope when you have cancer.

Veterans and PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of Truama and Stressor Related Disorder. Veterans can develop PTSD from their experiences. Getting bad news from a medical test, such as being told you have cancer, can affect your thoughts and trigger your PTSD symptoms.

PTSD is common among veterans, but there are things you can do to cope and overcome it. Getting relevant, trusted, and timely information about the care and treatment you need is also important to help control PTSD triggers.

PTSD or other problems, like depression might develop if a trauma event is not treated. If you have PTSD, talk to your cancer care team for help. You can also look for support groups through the VA or your community. Finding a group of people who have gone through things that have caused PTSD can help you cope with PTSD, depression, fear, and anxiety.

Caregivers and PTSD

Caregivers can be affected by PTSD, too. Taking care of a loved one who has cancer, seeing them go through medical care, emergencies, or pain, can cause trauma and triggers for caregivers. It may not happen at the moment they are caring for their loved one. It can happen months or years later. Learn more about caregiver support.

Call your mental health provider or cancer care team if:

  • You have thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
  • You don’t think you are safe
  • You have trouble breathing or feel very restless

 

Resources for US veterans

If you're a US veteran with cancer, help is available to support you and your family for health, housing, transportation, and more. The resources listed here offer care-related support and information. 

My HealtheVet

My HealtheVet is an online resource that connects you to your health care team and helps you manage your care. Through My HealtheVet, you can easily access the VA pharmacy, contact your health care team, manage your appointments, view your health records, and more. 

Housing resources

Financial support resources

Insurance resources

Transportation resources

More resources from the American Cancer Society

  • Use our resource search to find programs that can help you and your loved ones manage your lives through treatment and recovery, and get the emotional support you need.
  • Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides support for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear. Call us at 1-800-227-2345.
  • View all ACS programs and services
  • How to use Cancer.org: Resources for US Military Veterans

References for further reading

The following sources were used in creating this information about veterans and cancer:

Veterans and cancer risk

American Society of Clinical Oncology. Veterans. Cancer.net. Content is no longer available.

Bytnar JA, McGlynn KA, Nealeigh MD, Shriver CD, Zhu K. Cancer incidence in the US military: An updated analysis. Cancer. 2024 Jan 1;130(1):96-106. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34978

Griffin AC, Troszak LK, Van Campen J, Midboe AM, Zulman DM. Tablet distribution to veterans: an opportunity to increase patient portal adoption and use. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2023 Jan 1;30(1):73-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocac195

Rasmussen P, Farmer CM. The promise and challenges of VA community care: Veterans' issues in focus. Rand Health Q. 2023;10(3):9. Published 2023 Jun 16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10273892/

PTSD and mental health in veterans with cancer

Dent KR, Szymanski BR, Kelley MJ, Katz IR, McCarthy JF. Suicide risk following a new cancer diagnosis among Veterans in Veterans Health Administration care. Cancer Med. 2023 Feb;12(3):3520-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5146

Recklitis CJ, Michaud A, Blackmon JE, Orsillo S, Chang G. Evaluating posttraumatic stress in young adult cancer survivors: implications of revised DSM‐5 traumatic event criteria. Psycho‐Oncology. 2023 Jun;32(6):895-903. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.6129

Springer F, Kuba K, Ernst J, Friedrich M, Glaesmer H, Platzbecker U, Vucinic V, Heyne S, Mehnert-Theuerkauf A, Esser P. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder in hematological cancer patients with different treatment regimes. Acta Oncol. 2023 Sep 2;62(9):1110-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2023.2239477

The Veteran's section is supported, in part, by Regeneron.

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