Vietnam War veterans with prior exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange may be at higher risk for certain types of skin cancer, suggests a report in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Skin Cancers Present in About Half of Vets Exposed to Agent Orange
During the Vietnam War, Agent Orange was widely used as herbicide and jungle defoliant. It has been linked to a wide range of cancers and other diseases, caused by the highly toxic dioxin contaminant TCDD. "TCDD is among the most carcinogenic compounds ever to undergo widespread use in the environment," according to Dr. Clemens and coauthors. Veterans Affairs recognizes and provides benefits for certain cancers and health problems associated with prior dioxin exposure during military service, however skin cancer is currently not one of them.
The researchers analyzed medical records of 100 consecutive men who enrolled in the Agent Orange registry at the Veterans Affairs Hospital of Washington, DC, between August 2009 and January 2010. Exposure to TCDD consisted of living or working in contaminated areas for 56 percent of veterans, actively spraying Agent Orange in 30 percent, and traveling in contaminated areas for 14 percent. The study was limited to men with lighter skin types.
Non-Melanoma vs. Melanoma: The VA’s Use of Agent Orange in Viet Nam
March 31, 2015/in Agent Orange, Veterans /by Hill & Ponton P.A.
Over the years, there has been a great deal of documentation on how herbicides affect veterans – specifically Viet Nam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a chemical spray widely used during the Viet Nam War to clear and destroy foliage in the jungles. Although effective in its purpose, it has been linked to a wide range of cancers and other diseases due to the fact it contains dioxin – a well-known carcinogen. The impact Agent Orange has on the skin – the body’s largest organ – is the primary focus of this blog.
Back some years ago, between August 2009 and January 2010, a study was conducted amongst those veterans who enrolled in the Agent Orange Registry at the Veterans Affairs Hospital located in Washington, D.C. The study examined 100 men who worked in contaminated areas, were involved in the actual spraying of the agent, and those who traveled in the contaminated areas. Of the 100 men, all were known to have lighter or fair skin types. [Isn’t that ironic?]
Of the group tested, 43% was found to have a skin condition known as chloracne which has been proven to be caused by dioxins – as previously stated; a well-know carcinogen. Some of the other findings from the study included:
• 51% of the veterans having a non-melanoma, invasive skin cancer (still skin cancer);
• 73% represented veterans having participated in spraying Agent Orange resulting in the highest risk of skin cancer, and lastly;
• men with the lightest skin type and eyes also having a much higher risk of contracting non-melanoma skin cancer.
The good news is that there was no increased risk of the most dangerous type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Although a deadly form of cancer, the study did not document any differences between those males of similar age exposed to Agent Orange as compared to the general population. With that said, I do want to stress that this study took place five (5) years ago in 2010. Additionally, the study sample was extremely limited in both size and population.
Obviously, further studies are warranted to accurately decipher the impact of Agent Orange exposure as it relates to melanoma and non-melanoma types of cancer. [Not from any war-related contaminants, but via personal experience with malignant melanoma and its ramifications, I cannot express my adamancy of further research in this area.] Fortunately, this is exactly what is happening. Maybe not fast enough, though, since now four decades after the Viet Nam war ended, we are seeing an increase in the rates of non-melanoma skin cancer caused by this potent jungle defoliant. How could we not see such increases and possibly worse ailments — .these men and women were exposed to gallons upon gallons of this cancerous pesticide. Granted, the government’s reasoning was to destroy and remove the forestry that was concealing the enemy by destroying the crops. That it surely did. But today, we know that there were over 1.5 million Americans serving in Viet Nam during that time when the use of Agent Orange was most intense. Was this the best alternative? Our men and women may have survived the war zone, but now are battling a new war back at home!
Back in the 70’s, veterans returning from war began to report a number of ailments that included skin rashes that seemed “minor” in nature. In having discussions with my husband and his fellow Viet Nam veterans, they often referred to this condition as “jungle rot”. [This is a discussion for a future blog.] Today, it is quite common to hear of the skin condition, chloracne, which was observed in 43% of the veterans who were part of the study referred to above – much more than just a “minor” ailment..
The researchers acknowledge that flaws existed in their study and that more extensive research to include a control group is necessary to obtain more accurate results. The relative risks within this population most definitely warrant further studies in an effort to support our veterans and provide the care they earned and truly deserve. Let’s work together to make sure this happens for our veterans and those currently serving our country – the United States of America.

Thank God for our sisters and brothers in the military! -- jjames

I HOPE THIS HELPED OTHER VETS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

@johnjames

Thank you!

Colleen- what is the best place to share and ask questions about Parkinson's- I'm having allot of side affects that's new to me and they are constant and depressing- as everyone knows who has Parkinson's. Thank you. JJAMES

Hello @johnjames We do have a Parkinson's conversation under the Brain Nervous System category. As I recall, that is where your conversation started. Tell us again, if you want to share, about your most troublesome symptoms and what you are doing now, i.e., medications, physical therapy, exercise programs, etc. Exercise is extremely important for this disorder. Have you heard about Boxing Therapy for PD?

@johnjames, please join the Parkinson's discussion here: http://mayocl.in/2abXKUs

As Teresa mentioned, the Parkinson's discussions are found in the Brain & Nervous System at the moment, but we are planning to make it a group of its own soon.

I wonder how many of you struggle with Parkinson's- you know I have many was injuries -like everyone else did- But Parkinson's has the most side affects- I was diagnosed with Agent Orange Parkinson;s over 2 years ago and the side affects seems to show up every week. From running into stuff, dropping dishes(not good) to the constant struggle to move in a straight t line, or move at all- the morning are awful- the body won't move for the first 2 hours-even those the mind is working find. I was at Sarbucks getting a coffee and I picked up the cup and then tipped it over on the counter- never felt it turn in my hand. It effects your vision, your speech, your tone of voice and volume of your voice. I start shaking sometimes out of the blue- people look at you as if your difference, or strange. Our culture at this time in history-is cold, distance, non- caring, selfish for the most part- I see people with a disability trying to open the door and folks walking right by them- but if we see that or things like that, we should help and maybe make a difference.

@johnjames
I am so sorry for what you must do on a daily basis to live with this. I agree with you. I think things would be better if we could all slow down, look around, and be a lot more kind. We like to go to a local coffee shop for a cup . I don't know how much longer this will be possible, but, so far, we still enjoy that. I will be thinking of you. I hope you continue to stop for your coffee, and enjoy it!

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, and heart felt connection, yes -God willing and Starbucks doesn't
close- I will be there every chance I get. Thank you-in my prayers, JJAMES

@DeptVetAffairs i am very ill with AGENTORANGE HERBICIDES related diseases which are all autoimmune classified diseases which Admiral ZUMWALT warned our leaders about in 1991 but the VA, DOD, CONGRESS AND THE WHITEHOUSE CLASSIFIED HIS REPORT AND TESTIMONY SO THEY WOULDNT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE OR RESPONSIBLE. I am fighting severe Parkinson's like symptoms and severe cancers. I am sure i will be dead soon. Our medical community failed US. THEY FAILED TO LISTEN TO US. THEY FAILED TO STAND UP FOR DYING VETERANS AND THEIR GENETICALLY AFFECTED CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN. I AM SO SAD AND SO HEART BROKEN AS I MURDERED 1000000S OF UNBORN BABIES AND COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OF VETERANS DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE HERBICIDES ON GUAM WHERE I PERSONALLY HANDLED IT FOR 10 YEARS. I AM VERY VERY VERY SAD MAYO CLINIC HAS NOT STOOD UP FOR US TO DEMAND ANSWER'S. GOD FORGIVE ME AS I CONTEMPLATE MY LOT IN LIFE AND MY CHOICES TO END THE RELENTLESS PAIN.

@retairforceman

I certainly do not hold any of this against you. You were following orders, and certainly, at that time, could not have foreseen the future problems that have been caused by Agent Orange. The responsibility lies with the government and with the manufacturers. They knew this would make people sick or kill them. To add insult to injury, they keep slithering away from their responsibility.

My heart goes out to you.

Macbeth