Pentagon Study Discovers Elevated Cancer Risks for Military Pilots and Ground Crews

Cancer mortality rates were found to be lower or similar to the general population, according to the study.

A new study conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense indicates that military pilots and ground crews responsible for fueling and maintaining military aircraft face higher risks for certain cancers compared to the general U.S. population. Despite the increased prevalence of some cancers among service members, the study reported lower or similar cancer mortality rates in comparison to the general population, as stated by the Pentagon. This study is the first evaluation of cancer risk among military ground crew personnel, according to the report. The study did not attempt to determine the causes of the cancers.

The Pentagon stated that the current study is among the largest and most comprehensive to date. A previous study had focused solely on Air Force pilots, discovering higher cancer rates; this study, however, examined all services and included both air and ground crews. Despite the broader scope, the Pentagon warned that the actual number of cancer cases could be higher due to data gaps, which it plans to address.

Retired Air Force Colonel Vince Alcazar, a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, which advocated for the Pentagon and Congress to take action, said the study “demonstrates that it’s long overdue for leaders and policymakers to shift from skepticism to belief and active support.” Alcazar serves on the association’s medical issues committee.

Mandated by Congress in the 2021 defense bill, the study’s discovery of higher cancer rates now requires the Pentagon to conduct an even larger review to determine why these crews are falling ill.

The study found that aircrew members had an 87% increased rate of melanoma and a 39% increased rate of thyroid cancer. Male aircrews experienced a 16% increased rate of prostate cancer. Overall, aircrews faced a 24% higher rate of all cancer types when compared to the general population.

Past studies of aircrew members revealed similar results for melanoma and prostate cancer, while the higher rate of thyroid cancer is a new finding.

Ground crew members responsible for maintaining, fueling, and launching military aircraft saw higher incidences of brain and nervous system cancers by 19%, thyroid cancer by 15%, and melanoma by 9%. Kidney or renal cancer rates were 9% higher compared to the general population. Overall, ground crew members experienced a 3% higher rate of cancer compared to the general population.

After adjusting for age, sex, and race, the Department of Defense data showed that aircrews had lower rates of bladder and colon cancers compared to the general population. Both air and ground crews had lower rates of lung cancer.

Aircrew members exhibited a 56% lower cancer mortality rate for all cancer types compared to a demographically-similar U.S. population, while ground crews experienced a 35% lower mortality rate.

The study, which did not include significant data on members who served before 1990, does not imply that military service in aircrew or ground crew occupations causes cancer, as multiple potential confounding factors were not controlled for in the analysis, including smoking, alcohol use, and family history.

The 2021 defense bill mandated the study by Congress and required a follow-up study if initial findings showed higher cancer rates.

The Pentagon plans to conduct a broader review to identify personnel exposure to known toxins or carcinogens.

A “Phase 1-b study” will be carried out to address limitations in the initial investigation.

The report acknowledged that the study likely underreported military cancer cases, as data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and civilian cancer registries were not included.

Of the more than 155,000 aircrew members studied, approximately 70% were from the Air Force and 20% from the Navy.

Among the more than 737,000 ground crew members in the study, around 48% were Air Force, and 38% were Navy.

If a service member’s cancer is related to exposure to a specific product or substance while serving, they might be able to pursue a lawsuit against the manufacturer or supplier of that product, rather than the military itself.

The best course of action is to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in military-related claims and personal injury law. They can provide guidance on the specifics of your situation and help determine if you have a valid claim and what legal options are available to you.

Are you a military pilot or ground crew member who may have developed service-related cancer?

You may be entitled to compensation. Parker Waichman LLP is here to help you understand your legal rights and fight for the justice you deserve. As a national leader in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, we have the experience and resources to advocate on your behalf.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

Take action now and let Parker Waichman LLP fight for you. Together, we can ensure that military pilots and ground crew members receive the support and recognition they deserve for their service and sacrifices. Call us toll-free at 800-968-7529 today.