Rare Eye Cancer Shows Correlation Among Vietnam Veterans
September 09, 2017
Over the last several years a rare type of eye cancer has been showing up in Vietnam veterans at an undeniably concerning rate. Choroidal Melanoma is a rare cancer among the general population, but it’s being diagnosed at a rate that’s proportionally much higher among veterans. This rare cancer can spread quickly throughout the body making rapid response time extremely important. Between 30-50% of Choroidal Melanoma patients die within 10 years of diagnosis.
A Freedom of Information Act request reveals that the VA has diagnosed over 2,000 cases per year of this rare cancer in veterans between 2008 and 2010. On average, around 1,900 people in the U.S are diagnosed with Choroidal Melanoma each year. Veterans are being diagnosed at a higher rate per year than the entire general population. This is an, understandably, alarming statistic to many veterans.
While the number of veterans diagnosed with this cancer has dropped gradually following 2010, it is likely that the number of Vietnam veterans in general is also declining. Still, many veterans are looking for answers. In August, the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) asked Congress to conduct medical studies to determine why veterans were at such a high risk for the disease.
Agent Orange has proven to be the cause of many harmful complications to Vietnam veterans over the years. Many suspect that it may contribute to the alarming rate of Choroidal Melanoma as well.
Do you think the VA and Congress have an obligation to provide Vietnam veterans with the answers they are calling for?