Cancer & Exposure

Cancers Linked to Military Service

Certain cancers appear again and again among service members who were exposed to toxic substances during their service. These pages explain, for each cancer, the military exposures it has been linked to, whether the VA presumes a service connection, how the VA rates it for disability compensation, and what screening can help with early detection. This is general information, not medical or legal advice.

Lung Cancer

Respiratory

Linked exposures: Burn pits / airborne hazards (PACT Act), Agent Orange / herbicides, Radiation (Atomic Veterans, radiation-risk activities), Asbestos (Navy ships, older buildings), Camp Lejeune contaminated water (1953-1987)

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Bladder Cancer

Genitourinary

Linked exposures: Burn Pits / PACT Act, Agent Orange / Herbicides, Ionizing Radiation, Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

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Kidney Cancer

Genitourinary

Linked exposures: Burn pits / airborne hazards (PACT Act), Camp Lejeune contaminated water, Radiation (Atomic Veterans, radiation-risk activities), PFAS / AFFF firefighting foam

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Prostate Cancer

Genitourinary

Linked exposures: Agent Orange / herbicides, Burn pits / airborne hazards (PACT Act), Camp Lejeune contaminated water (1953-1987)

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Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Blood and lymph

Linked exposures: Agent Orange / herbicides, Camp Lejeune contaminated water, Radiation (Atomic Veterans), Burn pits / airborne hazards (PACT Act)

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Mesothelioma

Respiratory

Linked exposures: Asbestos

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Multiple Myeloma

Blood and lymph

Linked exposures: Burn pits / PACT Act, Agent Orange / tactical herbicides, Ionizing radiation, Camp Lejeune contaminated water

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Leukemia

Blood and lymph

Linked exposures: Burn pits and airborne hazards (PACT Act), Agent Orange and other herbicides, Ionizing radiation (radiation-risk activities), Camp Lejeune contaminated water

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Not sure if your cancer is service-connected? Check the full list of presumptive conditions, see how the VA rates each cancer, or find out whether you were exposed.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional about your health or benefits.