Kidney cancer: the silent disease in veterans

Every year, America records at least 90,000 deaths related to kidney cancer, more than the number of fatalities due to breast and prostate cancer combined.

The staggering number of deaths every year can be attributed to the difficulty in diagnosing kidney cancer. Healthcare professionals pointed to several reasons, which include:

• Asymptomatic nature - Kidney cancer often does not cause any noticeable symptoms.
• No recommended screening - Despite advancements and innovation, the world has yet to develop a widely recommended screening test for kidney cancer.
• Accidental discovery - More often than not, kidney cancers are detected incidentally during medical tests like ultrasounds and CT scans for other purposes.

In many cases, a diagnosis is only made when the cancer has already spread wide. Some of the common symptoms of a late stage kidney cancer include:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Pain in the side or back
• Sudden fatigue or weight loss
• Lump in the lower back or side of the waist
• Night sweats
• Fever

Study linking military service to kidney cancer & other diseases

Kidney cancer and other kidney-related diseases are also common among veterans. Research from the Veterans Affairs (VA) revealed that every year, around 7.7% are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, including cancer. Because of unique factors, like constant exposure to toxic chemicals such as burn pits, Agent Orange, and other harmful substances, studies showed that service members face higher risks of developing cancers as well as chronic kidney diseases. In fact, exposure to Agent Orange, the pesticide used to clear vegetation in order to construct military bases in Vietnam, has been linked to higher risks of developing renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer.

Claiming benefits for kidney cancer-stricken veterans

Early detection through regular health check-ups and other tests is key in helping veterans get the proper medical services to cope with kidney cancer and ultimately improve survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, the overall 5-year survival rate for kidney cancer is around 80%.

Service members who may have been exposed to cancer-causing chemicals or started showing possible signs of kidney cancer are encouraged to get tested as soon as possible. Fortunately, they may be eligible to receive healthcare benefits, including toxic screening tests, from the VA through the PACT Act. Enacted in 2022, the PACT Act allowed veterans exposed to toxic chemicals to claim benefits and even disability compensation. The law lists kidney cancer as a presumptive condition, which means afflicted veterans would no longer have to prove that the condition is caused by the service.

ELG Law can help file your VA claims

When filing for VA claims, you just need to submit your application to the nearest VA office in your area, but the process can be tedious and time-consuming. If you're looking for expert help, then you have come to the right place. Our team of attorneys has provided legal assistance to victims of toxic exposure, including many veterans, for more than 30 years. If you or someone you know has kidney cancer, we highly recommend getting in touch with our team of attorneys, who can guide you in taking the proper steps to ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve.