2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P3.01F.01 Evaluating the Relationship Between Veteran Toxic Exposure Status and Lung Cancer Prevalence

P3.01F.01 Evaluating the Relationship Between Veteran Toxic Exposure Status and Lung Cancer Prevalence

Pdf Summary

The study, conducted by researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, focuses on the relationship between toxic exposures and lung cancer prevalence among veterans. Veterans are at a 25-75% higher risk of developing lung cancer at a younger age compared to civilians, yet risk prediction models specific to veterans remain undeveloped.<br /><br />Data was sourced from the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD), encompassing over 11 million veteran patients with completed toxic exposure surveys within the VA system between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. The study included veterans with self-reported toxic exposures such as Agent Orange, Ionizing Radiation, and Gulf War-related exposures, excluding those with lung cancer diagnosis before their final service date.<br /><br />The objective was to determine whether veterans with toxic exposure histories have an increased risk of lung cancer compared to those without such histories. The study hypothesized an increased risk and an additive effect when combined with a tobacco use history.<br /><br />Results indicated varying rates of lung cancer prevalence based on toxic exposure. For example, veterans exposed to Agent Orange had a lung cancer prevalence of 3.6%, which is significantly higher than the 1.6% cutoff suggested by the PLCO model. There were limitations to the study, including potential recall and survival biases, and reliance on unverified self-reports.<br /><br />The conclusion stresses the need for veteran-specific lung cancer screening guidelines and further statistical analysis to adjust for covariates within diverse subcohorts. The study acknowledges funding from the I01 CX002468 Merit Award.

Asset Subtitle

Stephen Deppen

Meta Tag

Speaker Stephen Deppen

Topic Risk Factors, Risk Reduction & Tobacco Control

Keywords

veterans

lung cancer

toxic exposures

risk prediction

Agent Orange

Vanderbilt University

Department of Defense

Veteran's Affairs

screening guidelines

tobacco use