Post-9/11 deployment history and the incidence of breast cancer among women veterans

Gaffey, Allison E.; Han, Ling; Ramsey, Christine M.; Skanderson, Melissa; Dziura, James; Driscoll, Mary; Burg, Matthew M.; Brandt, Cynthia; Bastian, Lori A.; Haskell, Sally G.

doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2022.11.010

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Twenty-three papers measured BC among military personnel and those deployed to specific conflicts ( 17 , 22 , 23 , 25 – 33 , 37 – 42 , 44 – 48 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gaffey and colleagues (2023) conducted a cohort study of 576,601 women Veterans (n=141,935 OEF/OIF-deployed). Those who deployed in support of OEF/OIF were 23% [17%, 29%] less likely to be diagnosed with BC (RR=0.77; [0.71, 0.83]) ( 25 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When considering the effects of military service and deployment on risk of BC, individual and environmental risk factors should be considered ( 49 ). If risk factors are not controlled for, findings may be biased by the Healthy Soldier Paradox ( 25 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent work has called the Healthy Soldier Paradox into question for OEF/OIF/OND-era Veterans ( 51 ), as OEF/OIF/OND-era Veterans have a higher risk of mortality when compared to the general U.S. population. However, it may be that healthy solider effects vary by outcome, such that OEF/OIF/OND-era Veterans may have a higher risk of mortality but a decreased risk of BC ( 25 ). In a study of 31,548 military healthcare system users with BC and 63,096 controls with BC, the military healthcare system users had a significantly lower risk of mortality (24% [20%, 29%]) ( 52 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Military environmental exposures and risk of breast cancer in active-duty personnel and veterans: a scoping review

Jester,

Assefa,

Grewal

et al. 2024

Front. Oncol.

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BackgroundThe effects of military environmental exposures (MEE) such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), tactile herbicides, airborne hazards and open burn pits (AHOBP), and depleted uranium on health are salient concerns for service members and Veterans. However, little work has been done to investigate the relationship between MEE and risk of breast cancer.Data sources and methodsWe conducted a scoping review on MEE, military deployment/service, and risk of breast cancer among active-duty service members and Veterans. PRISMA was used. PubMed, Embase, and citations of included articles were searched, resulting in 4,364 articles to screen: 28 articles were included.ResultsMost papers on military deployment and military service found a lower/equivalent risk of breast cancer when comparing rates to those without deployment or civilians. Exposure to VOCs due to military occupation or contaminated groundwater was associated with a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Exposure to Agent Orange was not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Evidence regarding EDCs was limited. No paper directly measured exposure to AHOBP or depleted uranium, but deployments with known exposures to AHOBP or depleted uranium were associated with an equivalent/lower risk of breast cancer.ConclusionsWomen are the fastest growing population within the military, and breast cancer poses a unique risk to women Veterans who were affected by MEE during their service. Unfortunately, the literature on MEE and breast cancer is mixed and limited, in part due to the Healthy Soldier Paradox and poor classification of exposure(s).

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“…Twenty-three papers measured BC among military personnel and those deployed to specific conflicts ( 17 , 22 , 23 , 25 – 33 , 37 – 42 , 44 – 48 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Military environmental exposures and risk of breast cancer in active-duty personnel and veterans: a scoping review

Jester,

Assefa,

Grewal

et al. 2024

Front. Oncol.

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The Landscape of Care for Women Veterans with Cancer: An Evidence Map

Pace,

Goldstein,

Williams

et al. 2024

J GEN INTERN MED

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Disability Claims for Female Veterans Exposed to Contaminated Water at Marine Base Camp Lejeune

Weaver,

Cao,

Stroupe

et al. 2024

Military Medicine

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Introduction Between 1953 and 1987, over one million Veterans were exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We examined the relationship between toxicant exposure and subsequent disability ratings in female veterans. Materials and Methods Comparisons were made between females stationed at Camp Lejeune and from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California who were not known to have been exposed to these toxicants, between 1975 and 1985, using data from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry and VA data. Results A total of 4,491 (52%) females from Camp Lejeune and 2,811 (47%) from Camp Pendleton used VA health care between October 1, 1999 and February 17, 2021. Approximately 51% of Camp Lejeune females were exposed to toxicants. More than half (50.6% and 53.9% from Lejeune and Pendleton, respectively) had a disability rating ≥10%. Females who were Black, Hispanic, officers, or had longer duration in camp were more likely to have a disability rating, whereas females exposed to toxicants were less likely to have a disability rating. When the regression was redone examining the predictors of disability due to any of 8 presumptive conditions associated with toxicant exposure, the only significant variable was having been at Camp Lejeune (odds ratio [OR], 2.5, 95% CI, 1.3–4.7). Toxicant exposure was not significant when only Camp Lejeune females were included in the model. Conclusion Little attention has been given to female veterans exposed to toxicants at Camp Lejeune. Although we did not find an association between exposure and disability ratings, reliance on service-connected disability codes and small numbers were limitations. Further examination using international code of diseases diagnostic codes may be warranted.

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Post-9/11 deployment history and the incidence of breast cancer among women veterans

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

Military environmental exposures and risk of breast cancer in active-duty personnel and veterans: a scoping review

Military environmental exposures and risk of breast cancer in active-duty personnel and veterans: a scoping review

The Landscape of Care for Women Veterans with Cancer: An Evidence Map

Disability Claims for Female Veterans Exposed to Contaminated Water at Marine Base Camp Lejeune

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