Cancer in SOF: What to know to get ahead of anxiety and risk

Since September 11, 2001, more than 525,000 active duty service members from all branches have been diagnosed with cancer. Out of 4.3 million service members, that’s a 1 in 7 occurrence. Recently USSOCOM began looking into the cancer incidence and trends among SOF service members, and details from USSOCOM’s initial look into cancer in SOF are expected in the summer of 2025. Cancer research and treatment is a rapidly evolving space. You can be born with genetic risk factors or risk can increase due to persistent stress and exposures. This article will cover what veterans and families should know about cancer and SOF service and when to push for screening. 

Why are service members often diagnosed later than civilians?

Several factors likely contribute to delayed diagnosis in the veteran and military community: A “tough-it-out” culture that discourages early reporting of symptoms. High operational tempo and constant deployments that disrupt continuity of care. Delays in imaging, biopsies, and referrals; with young, fit patients, early cancer screening is not part of Defense Health Agency’s standard of care and is not made available until clear indications present themselves. As a result, cancers that could be caught early are often diagnosed later and at more advanced stages in the military.

What exposures are linked to increased cancer risk in the military and SOF?

Researchers are working around the clock to better understand exposures and cancer risk. Currently, researchers believe cancer appears 20 years or more after known exposures, but in many cases SOF experience cancer diagnosis at relatively younger ages. While the cancer links are not yet clear, common and high-risk exposures include:

• Burn pits and airborne toxins (Search for VA Burn Pit Registry)
• Radiation: radar, communications gear, jamming and targeting systems
• Explosives and heavy munitions: frequent exposure during breaching, demolitions, and weapons firing
• Solvents, fuels, and industrial chemicals (especially among mechanics, boat crews, and maintainers. Search “Red Hill Registry” within the VA regarding the HI fuel in base water exposure)
• Toxic Environments: oil fires, heavy metal, or contaminated water

A primary objective of SOTERIA Foundation’s SOF Initiative is to build effective, life-saving cancer pathways that are scalable across the entire military and veteran population and model effective cancer journeys. 

Screening, Cancer Care, and Precision Medicine

SOTERIA Foundation has two care pathways. The first is considered Early Detection (Stages 0–II). It is focused on prevention, surveillance, and rapid response which empower early interventions. The second track is for Advanced Disease (Stages III–IV), and includes high-touch precision navigation, genomic testing, trial access, survivorship support, and, in development—when necessary—dignified end-of-life support.  

SOTERIA understands the importance of awareness and outreach. This is the first step to end stigma and help people engage in care early. Closely tied to outreach, SOTERIA is building an early detection and screening initiative that will utilize demographic and service data to identify individuals with a higher cancer risk. If someone has a cancer diagnosis, SOTERIA facilitates nurse navigation to provide personalized support from diagnosis to recovery. Key aspects of nurse navigation include assisting in genomic testing to identify germline risk (genetic risk from birth) and tumor sequencing to target treatments. Then, nurse navigators search to see if there are open clinical trials that may benefit the patient outside of standard of care therapies to drive care with evidence based care. 

What should you do if you are concerned about cancer risk?

In special operations, cancer is a trending health concern for many service members and veterans. Symptoms that may indicate an increased risk include: 

• Unexplained weight loss, 
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Skin changes
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Unusual bleeding 
• Difficulty swallowing or indigestion
• Persistent cough or hoarseness

Cancer research is a rapidly changing space with advancements in diagnosis and care happening all of the time. Currently, there is no research to support modified screening protocols for Special Operations Forces, but SOF nonprofits are facilitating early cancer screening. If your health changes or you have anxiety around cancer risk, seek screening options and make sure you are enrolled in relevant Veterans Affairs (VA) Environmental Health Registries [link]. 

Anxiety can increase challenges associated with leaving military service. Talk to your provider about your concerns. 

SOTERIA Foundation has a Cancer in SOF Initiative that supports the entire Special Operations enterprise. The Cancer in SOF Initiative provides a pathway to early screening and treatment, if necessary. Eligible service members and veterans for the SOF initiative include: 

• Army Special Operations: Green Berets, Rangers, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, 160th SOAR
• Air Force Special Operations: Pilots and Crew, Combat Controllers (CCTs), PJs
• Marine Special Operations: Raiders
• Naval Special Warfare: SEALs and SWCCs
• Explosive Ordnance Division: Across all branches
• Support & Enablers: Intelligence, logistics, cyber, medics, comms, engineering, etc.
• Interagency: Deployed CIA and FBI officers
• SOF Spouses: Spouses who live downwind, downstream, and downrange.

If cancer is found, SOTERIA cannot provide direct medical care but will work to support and inform care by providing patients and their physicians with genomic insight in the context of treatment and/or trial options. 

Take Action 

• Review MSOFC’s Factsheet [link]
• Learn about the Veterans Affairs Environmental Health Registries [link]
• Request a consultation from SOTERIA Foundation [link], and a team member will reach out.
• Learn More about SOTERIA Foundation [link]
• Learn more about benefits for veterans who have cancer here [link]

About SOTERIA Foundation

SOTERIA is a nonprofit precision medicine organization that is building a new model for military cancer care, grounded in the realities of SOF culture and warfighter risk.