Military service can bring obvious dangers, but many veterans may face a more unexpected threat: a greater chance of developing lung cancer. Members of the military have a higher risk of lung cancer from radiation, toxic chemicals, and other hazards on the job. Fortunately, earlier screenings and a greater awareness of this problem have helped promote better health outcomes for veterans.

It’s crucial to understand the risks you may have encountered as an Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Navy veteran. Lung cancer compensation funds or programs may be available to help you and your loved ones deal with the cost of lung cancer. Here are six facts to consider if you’re a veteran with lung cancer.

1. Lung Cancer Is More Common in Navy, Army, and Coast Guard Members

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that each year, about 8,000 military veterans develop and get treated for lung cancer. Sometimes, lung cancer is caused by exposure to chemicals or radiation during military service. Other times, it’s the result of smoking or other lifestyle or genetic factors.

Overall, service members have a 25 percent higher chance of lung cancer compared with the general population. They also have a higher lung cancer mortality rate, or risk of dying from lung cancer. However, as researchers learn more about the risks associated with the military, there’s hope that these numbers will improve.

2. Military Personnel May Be Exposed to Toxic Chemicals

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes that military veterans have several risk factors for lung cancer. For example, veterans of the Vietnam War may have been exposed to an herbicide (plant-killing chemical) known as Agent Orange. Although Agent Orange wasn’t used after 1971, the risk of lung cancer remains for veterans who were exposed earlier.

Toxic exposures have also occurred in the United States. From 1953 to 1985, contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, put people working and living there at risk of lung and other types of cancer.

Other cancer-causing chemicals associated with the military include:

• Chemicals in paint
• Nerve agents and the drugs that protect against them
• Rocket fuel
• Solvents

Taking precautions, like using the recommended protective gear, can help you stay safe when dealing with toxic chemicals. It’s also essential to tell your doctor if you suspect you were exposed to dangerous substances so they can monitor potential health risks.

3. Military Operations Have Involved Airborne Hazards

When toxic substances enter the air, breathing them in may cause lung cancer and other diseases. Airborne hazards that affect military members include sand, dust, environmental air pollution, oil well fire smoke, and exhaust fumes from vehicles and aircraft.

In addition, burn pits have been used at military sites overseas to eliminate trash and debris. Unfortunately, burn pits often contain toxic materials, and inhaling the fumes is harmful to the lungs.

Burn pits have been associated with nine types of rare respiratory cancer. Members who served or are serving in Southwest Asia starting in 1990, as well as those who served in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, or Uzbekistan since 2001, may be at high risk of lung cancer.

Military veterans who served in any of the following operations are eligible to participate in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry:

• Desert Shield
• Desert Storm
• New Dawn
• Iraqi Freedom
• Enduring Freedom

The VA established this registry in 2014 to support research on veterans’ health and safety. You can sign up even if you don’t have any health issues.

4. Radiation and Asbestos Exposure Pose Additional Risks

There have been many situations in which military members were exposed to enough radiation to cause cancer. As a result, people who worked on certain missions between the 1940s and ’90s can automatically qualify for disability benefits. These activities included cleanups, nuclear testing, and time spent in high-radiation locations, like Japan after the atomic bombings there.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance known to cause cancer. Depending on their duties, service members in the Army, Navy, and other military branches may be exposed to asbestos. Asbestos exposure significantly raises the risk of a form of cancer called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest, abdomen, or lungs. Although mesothelioma isn’t necessarily lung cancer, it’s a closely related condition. Asbestos also increases the risk of actual lung cancer and lung inflammation.

5. Military Members May Be More Likely To Smoke

Smoking isn’t the only cause of lung cancer, but it’s one of the biggest risk factors. In the past, service members received free cigarettes as part of their military rations. Today, being in the military is still linked with a higher rate of smoking.

About 32 percent of active-duty service members smoke or engage in other risky behaviors linked to lung cancer, compared with 20 percent of the general population. Deployment raises the rate of these risky behaviors even higher (to 50 percent). For military members being sent away from their assigned post to support a specific mission, it’s crucial to develop healthy coping strategies, rather than practicing unhealthy habits like smoking.

6. Resources Are Available for Veterans With Lung Cancer

Low-dose CT scans are noninvasive screenings that can help find early-stage lung cancer. Fortunately, the VA boosted its screening rate by 80 percent in recent years. This expanded screening program has helped people in the military health care system who have lung cancer survive longer than nonveterans with lung cancer.

In addition, veterans who smoke can get medication and support to stop smoking. You can call the VA national Quitline for free tobacco cessation counseling at 855-784-8838 or sign up for support by texting VET (or VETesp for Spanish) to 47848.

Members of MyLungCancerTeam have shared positive experiences with medical centers associated with the VA. “I have to say, the VA Manhattan has the best doctors!” said one member. “I have been going there since 1977 and have no complaints. Thank God for my military experience. Once a Marine, always a Marine! Keep the faith!”

If you end up with a lung cancer diagnosis or another health problem after serving in specific missions, you may be eligible for compensation. Programs are available for veterans who were exposed to radiation or harmful substances during service. The VA can provide more information about your eligibility.

Find Your Team

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Are you a current or former U.S. armed forces member who faced occupational exposure to carcinogens during service? Did you take advantage of VA benefits, such as lung cancer screenings or disability compensation? Share your suggestions in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.