The tragic truth is that an uncountable number of veterans suffer from CANCER as a result of their military service. The PACT Act added 12 new Cancer Presumptives (listed below) that lengthen the list of already known causes and connections associated with Oncology.
Modern medicine has helped many veterans battle this debilitating disease and survive. But the treatments for Cancer create a battle of their own, and serious secondary disease can result as a consequence of treatment.
Cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Recognized Secondary Diseases and medical conditions associated with each of these include but are not limited to:
Surgery:
Urinary incontinence following Prostate cancer surgery
Renal insufficiency after Kidney cancer surgery
Seizures and strokes after Brain cancer surgery.
Chemotherapy:
Late effects of chemotherapy for all cancers include:
peripheral neuropathy, hemorrhagic strokes, Leukemia.
Radiation Induced Cancers:
A new secondary cancer can appear years after radiation treatments. These cancers would would be located in organs and tissues within the anatomy of the radiation fields. These cancers can appear within 3-5 years and sometimes up to 10-20 years later.
Radiation Toxicity:
Radiation for Head & Neck cancers can result dry mouth, & hypothyroidism.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the chest for Lung cancer can induce heart diseases including CHF, CAD and Arrythmias.
Radiation for Brain cancers can cause strokes and seizures.
Cancers Now Presumptive to Gulf War:
(See PACT ACT Link above for specific locations and dates applicable to Gulf War additions)
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
Fighting cancer is a battle that for some, can be won. But victory over this enemy does not come without sacrifice. It's important for advocates to consider these secondary connections for new claims, as well as for veterans where cancer has already been service-connected.
