Navy News, news from Iraq - Navy Times

Quick Links

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/military_prostatecancer_agentorange_080508w/
news/2008/08/military_prostatecancer_agentorange_080508w

Study links prostate cancer, Agent Orange


By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Aug 7, 2008 7:03:45 EDT

Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange are nearly twice as likely to have prostate cancer — especially in its most aggressive form — when compared to veterans who were not hit with the herbicide, according to new research from the University of California, Davis, Cancer Center.

The new findings stem from a study of 13,000 Vietnam veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Northern California Health Care System. The exposed veterans also were an average of 2½ years younger than men typically diagnosed with the disease, and were almost four times more likely to have cancer that had spread to other parts of their bodies.

“Just as those with a family history of prostate cancer or who are of African-American heritage are screened more frequently, so too should men with Agent Orange exposure be given priority consideration for all the screening and diagnostic tools we have at our disposal in the hopes of early detection and treatment of this disease,” said Ralph deVere White, director of the Cancer Center and a study co-author.

Research has already linked Agent Orange to soft-tissue sarcomas, Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is the largest study to connect prostate cancer with Agent Orange, said Karim Chamie, lead author of the study and a resident physician with the UC Davis Department of Urology and the VA Northern California Health Care system.

The U.S. government widely used Agent Orange during Vietnam to remove dense foliage that could provide cover for enemy forces. The chemical is now banned.

Contests and Promotions

Service Members Of The Year


promo Your Vote Counts!
The nomination period for the 2009 Military Times Service Members of the Year Award is closed? Return here the week of July 9th for the announcement of winners.

Win a Montague Paratrooper® Tactical Folding Mountain Bike


promo Enter To Win...
Win the Grand Prize: Montague Paratrooper® Tactical Folding Mountain Bike. Originally crafted for the U.S. Special Forces. FIRST PRIZE: Leatherman Micra Multi-Tool. 50 Winners!

Marketplace

Military Times Gear Shop


COOLMAX  Extreme S S Shirt COOLMAX Extreme S S Shirt
This COOLMAX® short-sleeve shirt reduce skin temperature while offering excellent moisture management properties.

Price: $10.99

Military Discounts


Save on your purchases!
In honor of your military service, you can find regular and name brand products at a special discount.

Shoplocal

  Shop Local
Local Online Deals
Find the best deals at your local stores.