WHY ARE VETERANS AT HIGHER RISK? Those exposed to toxic chemicals and herbicides while in the military are at a higher risk for developing prostate cancer. Exposures such as Agent Orange, burn
WILL THE VA HELP ME WITH MY TREATMENT? If you qualify for benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you have a couple of options available to you when it comes to your prostate cancer journey — the Veterans Health Administration and the Community Care Network. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Many Veterans are eligible to receive healthcare through the VA. If you are eligible, you can file for VA benefits and/or disability through the VA directly, through your state Veterans Affairs offices, or through a Veteran Service Organization. If you have Medicare or private insurance, you can use VA health care benefits alongside those plans. To learn more, visit www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. The VHA also runs a number of precision oncology centers of excellence that specialize in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. At these centers of excellence, VA physicians perform state-of-the-art research and treatment.
pits, and PFAS and PFOA chemicals have all been shown to have higher rates for prostate cancer, among other types. There may be other service-connected factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer, but they are not yet well understood. It is because of that higher risk of prostate cancer that every Veteran needs to be aware of the risks and treatment options, whether it be through the Veterans Health Administration, the Community Care Network, or a separate treatment facility.
1 in 5 U.S. Veterans will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among U.S. Veterans. Prostate cancer rates in the military are twice those of the general population. Nearly 489,000 prostate cancer patients are in the VA healthcare system. 16,000 of these patients have metastatic prostate cancer. Learn more at zerocancer.org/veterans VETERANS AND PROSTATE CANCER BYTHE NUMBERS
VA Precision Oncology Centers of Excellence
PROSTATE CANCER 101
PROSTATE CANCER 101
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