All of us should be grateful to the seven branches of our Armed Forces for protecting our safety and defense. Though the men and women who enlist may have varied reasons for doing so, they share the clear and present danger of putting their lives in the line of enemy fire if called upon to do so. This is a true gift to our nation.

What is less clear is an occupational hazard that can be life-threatening: increased cancer risk. According to a recently published report by Bytnar, et al. (2023), “Higher rates of breast and prostate cancers in servicemembers 40-59 years of age than in the general population may result from greater cancer screening utilization or cumulative military exposures.”^[i]

Their study, entitled “Cancer incidence in the US military: An updated analysis,” compared incidence rates (1990 – 2013) between active duty U.S. military personnel vs. the general population for the following cancers: colorectal, lung, prostate, testicular, breast and cervical. The findings bring some good and some not-so-good news.

On the brighter side: colorectal, lung, testicular and cervical cancers were significantly lower for military members (especially for regional and distant tumors in men). The authors theorize this may be due to generally better health status. In fact, according to the Rand Corporation, “… active-duty soldiers generally have better health and health-related behaviors than the U.S. adult population. Soldiers also exceed Healthy People 2020 goals for weekly physical activity.”

When it comes to prostate cancer, on the other hand, the news is less good. Our military servicemen have higher PCa rates than the general population, and the authors suggest two primary explanations: a) increased PSA screening, and b) cumulative exposure to carcinogens. ZeroCancer.org states, “Statistics show that about 1 in 5 Veterans will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, an incidence rate that is twice that of the general population.”

Bruce Montgomery, MD, an oncologist with the Veterans Administration (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, notes that PCa is the most common solid tumor malignancy in veterans. That statistic was previously skewed by the number of Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, a known cancer-causing agent (it is also linked with several other disorders that statistically surged among post Vietnam veterans). However, Dr. Montgomery points out that age is a key PCa risk factor:

Prostate cancer is a disease that is most commonly diagnosed in older men, with the average age of diagnosis being 66 years. Because a substantial proportion of veterans are men, and the median age of veterans is 64 years, this group has an elevated risk for prostate cancer.

Military service brings soldiers and other servicemen into regional conflicts where they may be exposed to more than bullets, grenades, mines and bombs—including suicide bombers. Toxic exposure to risk factors includes “… ionizing radiation, polychlorinated biphenyls, burn pits, dust storms, metals, other chemicals, as well as alcohol and tobacco use.”^[ii]

Thankfully, the VA is not only a valuable participant in PCa research, it also excels in healthcare for the men who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The VA exercises vigilance over those at risk for PCa, and those who have been diagnosed and treated. To that extent, the degree of risk is met and even excelled by the degree of care. Hopefully, our veterans have as much reason to be grateful as the rest of us have for their gift to us.

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

[i] Bytnar JA, McGlynn KA, Nealeigh MD, Shriver CD, Zhu K. Cancer incidence in the US military: An updated analysis. Cancer. 2023 Sep 19.
Meadows, Sarah O., Charles C. Engel, Rebecca L. Collins, Robin L. Beckman, et al. Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Soldiers Taking Care of Themselves. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2018. https://www.rand.org/pubs/infographics/IG129z4.html
[ii]Lawrence, Leah. “US Military Service may Impact Risk of Certain Cancers.” Cancer Therapy Adviser, Sep. 27, 2023. https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/cancer-topics/general-oncology/us-military-service-may-impact-risk-of-certain-cancers/