Agent Orange - Increase Risk of Prostate and Skin Cancer

Main Category: Veterans / Ex-Servicemen
Also Included In: Melanoma / Skin Cancer;  Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Article Date: 25 Jan 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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The chemical defoliant - Agent Orange - was used during the Vietnam War by the US Air Force. Veterans (of the Air Force) who were exposed to this chemical have a higher risk of prostate and skin cancer (say military researchers).

Researchers studied (ongoing study) 2,000 veterans (of Vietnam War) and have found an increased risk of melanoma (recent study). Previous studies had already confirmed an increase risk of prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and diabetes.

"A new analysis of cancer incidence among Air Force veterans of the Vietnam War found increased risks of prostate cancer and melanoma in those who sprayed Agent Orange and other herbicides," the Air Force Surgeon General's office said.

However, the study does not find the veterans are any more likely to die of these cancers (than people in the general population).

"It's just because we have new numbers, new exams," a spokesman said. "The guys are getting older, so we are seeing higher incidences."

This study will be reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences (USA), it will then report its conclusions to the Veterans Affairs Department.

In order to make bombing easier 20 million gallons of herbicides (including Agent Orange) were used to clear thick forests (of trees). The aim was to make bombing easier (between 1962-1971).

As veterans started to complain about a range of health problems, the US government started to investigate.

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