Cancer Risks of Veterans and First Responders Addressed at Summit

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently hosted a Patient Advocacy Summit to address the elevated cancer risks and specific healthcare needs of veterans and first responders.

The event, which was held in Washington, DC on Dec. 10, 2025, brought together care providers, policy experts and survivors to evaluate how occupational exposures to carcinogens impact these populations and to identify gaps in the current systems of prevention and long-term care.

Joanna Doran, CEO of Triage Cancer and a member of CURE’s advisory board, stated: “Veterans and first responders who have been diagnosed with cancer may be eligible for specific programs and benefits that can help them access care, manage the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and improve their quality of life. Our community is faced with an opportunity to ensure that veterans and first responders are connected to those programs and benefits.”

Experts at the summit highlighted a significant disparity in cancer outcomes and risks for those in the fire service and military, as detailed in a news release issued following the event. According to Dr. Dan Whu, the chief medical officer for the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer has reached epidemic levels among firefighters. He noted that in recent years, between two-thirds to three-fourths of the firefighters honored at the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died due to occupational cancer.

The risk factors extend to skin health and respiratory issues as well. Dr. Brett Sloan, professor of dermatology and former VA Site Director at UConn School of Medicine, pointed out that recent studies indicate veterans face an increased risk for all types of skin cancer. Specifically, veterans have a significantly higher likelihood of being diagnosed with late-stage melanoma when compared to the civilian population. This trend is attributed to several factors, including lack of education regarding symptoms, the inaccessibility of sun protection during service and specific occupational hazards.

The summit also addressed the current state of disability and care eligibility for the 18 million veterans alive today. Jim Pantelas, a lung cancer survivor and patient advocate, explained that roughly 22% of these veterans, or 3.96 million individuals, have a VA-recognized service-connected disability. However, only about half of the total 18 million veterans are deemed eligible for care through the Veterans Association Health Service.

The summit reviewed the role of translational research and data collection in improving outcomes for those with line-of-duty exposure. Participants discussed the importance of the PACT Act, a piece of legislation that expands the list of illnesses connected to military service. While speakers noted this is a positive step, they emphasized that the legislation often lags behind scientific evidence.

For instance, the panel discussed "presumptive laws," which are intended to guarantee benefits to workers based on a proven likelihood for future illnesses. However, these laws vary significantly by state and often include narrow definitions of what constitutes a job role or exposure. Because of these variations, many patients with cancer find themselves in the position of having to prove their illness was caused by their line of duty at the same time they are undergoing treatment.

Currently, Agent Orange is the only toxic substance that is automatically considered presumptive for service-relatedness. Pantelas noted that veterans frequently encountered other known carcinogens that do not always result in automatic benefits coverage, including:

1. Asbestos (all eras)
2. Burn Pits (Iraq and Afghanistan)
3. Depleted Uranium (Iraq and Afghanistan)
4. Diesel Fumes (all eras)
5. Plutonium (Cold War era)

The safety of first responders remains a primary concern, as speakers noted that protective equipment has not kept pace with modern risks. For example, the gear used by those fighting wildfires has remained largely unchanged over the last century, despite the fact that fighting fires involves exposure to potentially carcinogenic compounds. These dangerous exposures can occur through the air or via skin contact.

Erin Kobetz, Director and Principal Investigator of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative, stated that firefighters remain at an increased risk of both developing and dying from cancers due to these occupational environments. To improve safety and outcomes, the summit leaders called for better collaboration between the VA and private community cancer centers.

Reference

1. “NCCN Summit Seeks to Improve Care for Veterans and First Responders with Cancer from Line-of-Duty Exposure,” news release; https://www.nccn.org/home/news/newsdetails?NewsId=5317

Editor's note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, as your own experience will be unique. Use this article to guide discussions with your oncologist. Content was generated with AI, reviewed by a human editor, but not independently verified by a medical professional.

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