Author: Bill Watts

Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures – Public Health (va.gov)https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/?msclkid=1ba5118ad09d11ec81e7e10f7045a1d5

https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/42973/

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among Veterans, and the second most common cancer in men and women.  However, lung cancer screening and early detection can save lives.  To better address care for our Veterans, VHA has established the Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) to foster participation in lung cancer screening, genomic testing, and precision oncology trials with the goal of tailoring treatment to the needs of the individual veterans.  This new program is a component of the VHA’s Precision Oncology Initiative, which aims to continue to create a system of excellence in oncology care within the VHA.

While great progress has been made, Veterans need more and better options.  Precision oncology means matching the right treatment to the right patient.  At the VA, we take it a step further and provide the tools, resources, and systems of excellence across the United States that fosters personalized care for Veterans, and here at VISN 8 we are proud to serve as an established lung cancer site for LPOP.

Knowing what’s going on in your lungs is easier than you think.  A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes, and when it comes to your health, knowledge is power.   Speak to your primary care doctor to find out if lung screening is right for you.

www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp

(“Did you know?” series for each week)

Did you know?

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 2.1 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths in a single year.*   However, if found early, lung cancer can be treated.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes.  Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

*American Lung Association.

Did you know?

Early detection, by low-dose CT screening, can decrease lung cancer mortality by up to 20 percent among high-risk populations

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes.  Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

*American Lung Association.

Did you know?

There are new guidelines regarding screening and about 8 million Americans qualify as high risk for lung cancer and are recommended to receive annual screening with low-dose CT scans

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes.  Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

*American Lung Association.

Did you know?

An estimated 900,000 veterans are at risk for lung cancer due to age, smoking, and environmental exposures during and after military service.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes.  Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

Did you know?

In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. The VA has programs that can help with smoking cessation.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes.  Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

Mammoth Toxic Exposure Push Could Be Biggest Congressional Health Care Effort in Years

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., is aiming for a seismic move to open up care and disability to a half-century worth of veterans sickened by toxic exposure, in what could be one of the largest health care efforts on Capitol Hill in years.

“We cannot continue to tackle this topic one disability at a time,” Takano, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said at a hearing on the matter Wednesday. “2021 should be the year, and will be the year, we pass comprehensive legislation that meets the needs of all veterans, current and future, who are exposed to toxic substances while serving our country.”

The House is looking at 15 bills, ranging from incremental improvements to help veterans navigate bureaucracy at the Department of Veterans Affairs to expanding health care to those exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other toxic environments. Takano said the bills “offer a blueprint” for a legislative package.

The big-ticket items include presumptive care for the estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits since 1990, which has been dubbed by some as the post-9/11 generation’s Agent Orange. Currently, veterans must provide a clear link between exposure and their medical conditions, which can be nearly impossible.

Takano’s announcement comes a week after Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he is building an omnibus bill on toxic exposure, aiming for a markup by Memorial Day and a floor vote later this year. Tester chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

The efforts in both chambers have a long way to go before becoming law. Multiple advocates and congressional staffers interviewed are cautiously optimistic, and all agreed that, given the momentum, this is the year to be aggressive and try to pass a big health care bill that grants presumptive care to vets sickened by burn pits.

They don’t foresee a lot of speed bumps, or lawmakers publicly going against an omnibus bill. However, the cost is expected to be enormous, which could give some lawmakers sticker shock. Even so, many argue that cost would simply be the government paying its tab for war.

“The iron is hot, and now is the time to strike. We’re in a good spot right now,” Travis Horr, director of government affairs for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told Military.com. “We’re seeing this is the year for presumptive care. … I think there could be some concern with cost, but this is included in the cost of war. No one was asking for a price tag when we went into Iraq and Afghanistan.”

It’s unclear how many veterans are sick from burn pits or have died from related illnesses. VA data shows 72% of the 15,640 burn pit-related claims since 2007 were denied. However, the data is murky at best. The agency largely got it from a word search for phrases like “burn pits” in its patient database. That means if a veteran’s medical record never specifically referenced burn pits, it’s unlikely to be represented in the data.

Meanwhile, out of the 2.5 million Global War on Terrorism veterans, 781,384 have filed claims related to respiratory issues. According to VA data obtained by Military.com, 63% were granted. Of all the GWOT veterans, 42,686 filed for claims related to cancer; 37% of those claims were granted.

The VA’s research shows GWOT veterans are three times more likely than non-deployed veterans to file claims related to respiratory issues and twice as likely to file claims for cancer.

— Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Watch and listen online: https://tinyurl.com/racgwvi-march2021
Meeting number (access code): 199 853 4496
Meeting password: uiJMAfX*828
1-404-397-1596 USA Toll Number

To Learn more about the Gulf War Research Advisory Committee please go to:
https://www.va.gov/RAC-GWVI

The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) is hiring registered nurses for positions located throughout Florida and South Georgia.

Registered nurse professionals interested in employment with VA are encouraged to attend a virtual job fair event scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Individuals can register for the event by texting ServeVets to 25000 or by visiting https://bit.ly/3oqZri1 the day of the event.

To learn more about nursing at VA, please visit: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Careers/Nursing/