US Law Orders Cancer Study in Military Pilots and Aircrews
A new law signed by President Donald Trump requires an independent study into cancer rates among military pilots and aircrews who served on fixed-wing aircraft. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine will lead the review to determine whether aviation personnel face higher cancer risks compared to the general population.
The move follows a 2023 Department of Defense report that examined 900,000 service members who worked on fixed-wing aircraft between 1992 and 2017. The study revealed that aircrews had a 24% higher overall cancer rate, including an 87% increase in melanoma, 39% higher thyroid cancer, and 16% higher prostate cancer compared to civilians.
The new legislation, known as the Aviation Cancers Examination Study (ACES) Act, aims to clarify the link between aviation service and cancer. It will also ensure that affected service members gain access to proper health care and disability benefits if their conditions are found to be service-related.
Rep. August Pfluger, a Texas Republican and Air Force Reserve colonel, called the law a lifeline for aviators, citing the loss of his friend, Air Force Col. Andy Shurtleff, to cancer. Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, added that veteran aviators deserve answers about the health consequences of their service.
The panel will evaluate potential exposures faced by aviation crews, including ultraviolet light, radiation, and toxic chemicals. It will also analyze data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Department, and other agencies to study at least 11 cancer types.
The VA must contract the National Academies within 30 days to begin the study.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=us+Air+Force, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, military.com