Members of the U.S. Armed Forces face many dangers during their service, but a growing concern for their health is the rising incidence of cancer among veterans.
According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 56,000 veterans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.
Many of these individuals may develop cancers for which there are no effective screening modalities, often leading to the disease being detected at more advanced stages.
To address this critical issue, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is introducing a novel cancer screening tool tailored specifically for U.S. veterans.
The newly launched Sentinel clinical trial aims to evaluate whether early detection of cancer can be achieved through a simple blood test known as a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test.
This innovative test has the capability to screen for up to 50 different cancer types at once, offering a promising advancement in cancer detection for veterans.
Data from the Department of Defense indicates that cancer risks are at least 20 percent higher among military personnel compared to the general population.
This elevated risk is attributed to various carcinogenic exposures that service members may encounter, including high doses of asbestos, toxic burn pit emissions, and perfluorochemicals, along with high levels of psychosocial stress.
Elizabeth O’Donnell, MD, Director of the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Program at Dana-Farber’s Centers for Early Detection and Interception, highlights the pressing need for effective screening.
“There’s accumulating evidence suggesting that veterans are exposed to carcinogens during military service and have a diverse array of cancers at younger ages,” O’Donnell stated.
She noted that many of the cancers prevalent among service members currently lack screening tests.
The introduction of multi-cancer early detection tests is seen as a valuable tool for identifying cancer in its early, treatable stages among this high-risk population.
The Sentinel study will provide MCED tests to 1,500 veterans aged 45 and older who have served on active duty for a minimum of eight years and have received care at a Veterans Administration facility within the past five years.
Veterans will undergo screening either at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or at Quest Diagnostics testing sites, which will utilize a well-established screening infrastructure developed and tested by the research team.
For those interested in participating, eligibility can be determined by contacting the study team at [email protected].
Chelsey Simoni, A.P.R.N., M.S.N., a U.S. Army Veteran and Chief Health Officer for the HunterSeven Foundation, expressed the importance of this initiative.
“As a veteran, I know firsthand the risks we take during service, and the health issues that can surface years later,” Simoni remarked.
She emphasized that too many veterans are diagnosed when it’s already too late, reiterating that this research aims to give veterans a fighting chance through earlier cancer detection.
The MCED test functions by detecting “cancer signals” from multiple types of cancer through a single blood draw, often referred to as a liquid biopsy.
While intended to complement routine cancer screening methods, the MCED test provides the significant advantage of scanning for several cancer types at once.
If a cancer signal is detected, the MCED test will identify specific cancer types to guide further diagnostic evaluation.
Veterans who participate in the Sentinel study and test positive for cancer will receive their results from a Dana-Farber physician, who will supervise the follow-up diagnostic work-up for the suspected cancer at Dana-Farber’s Centers for Early Detection and Interception.
Those who test negative on the MCED will be monitored for up to one year through a review of their medical records to identify any additional cancer diagnoses during that period.
Catherine Marinac, PhD, a cancer researcher in Dana-Farber’s Division of Population Sciences and co-principal investigator of the Sentinel study, reaffirmed the critical need for such initiatives.
“Cancer is an increasing risk to our men and women in uniform,” Marinac stated.
She noted that effective MCED tests could save the lives of veterans who have served the nation.
Additionally, the data gathered will help guide the application of this new screening technology in other populations as well.
The Sentinel study leaders have plans to collaborate with the Department of Defense to establish a synthetic control group mirroring key eligibility criteria in the screening group, ensuring a robust comparison for their findings.
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