Each Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have served our nation with courage and selflessness. But for many, the end of military service doesn’t mark the end of their battles. Thousands of Veterans now face another fight: head and neck cancer. It’s a disease that affects speech, swallowing, and quality of life, and occurs nearly twice as often in Veterans as in the general population. More than 15.8 million people have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and many continue to receive medical care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA), one of the largest healthcare systems in the nation.
At the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, we’ve learned that the same determination that carries our Veterans through combat also carries them through recovery. Their resilience, community, and quiet strength remind us that courage doesn’t end when service does, it just takes new forms.
Why Veterans Are at Higher Risk
- Despite an overall reduction in tobacco and alcohol use, use remains more common among Veterans than civilians and are among the leading causes of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
- Exposure to chemicals such as Agent Orange and from burn pits, which have been linked to head and neck cancers.
- Low rates of vaccination against HPV. HPV accounts for 60%–70% of oropharyngeal cancers.
- Older age. About one in three Veterans are age 75 or older, and cancer risk naturally increases with age.
- Veterans who live in rural or low-income areas — about twice as many as in the general population — often have a harder time getting to the VA hospitals that provide specialized cancer care. Long travel distances, costs, and limited local options can make it tougher to get timely treatment and follow-up care.
This Veterans Day, we remember not only the service of our heroes but also their ongoing battles with health. Because of these risks, Veterans should make regular checkups a priority. Detecting head and neck cancer early can make treatment easier and save lives. If you or a loved one served in the military, talk to your healthcare provider or VA team about screening for head and neck cancer, especially if you smoke, drink alcohol, or were exposed to chemicals during service.
Early detection saves lives. Let’s make sure our veterans get the care they deserve.
U.S. Navy Veteran Christina Billmire was diagnosed with HPV-related tonsil cancer in 2020. Through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and all during the pandemic, she found strength in her care team, her family, and her mentor from the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Now cancer-free and an ambassador for the Alliance, Christina calls her experience a “rebirth” and reminds others that every day is a gift worth fighting for.
How the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance Helps
At the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance we’re committed to supporting veterans through education, patient and caregiver resources, and early detection programs.
Our website offers:
- Information about risk factors and symptoms
- Access to ongoing education, support networks and peer-to-peer mentorship
- Guidance on how to find local screening events
- And much more
Help for Veterans is Available
The VA has brought together teams of multidisciplinary teams who work closely to help Veterans get care more quickly and efficiently. Most Veterans start by seeing a primary care provider, dentist, or emergency department, who can then connect them with head and neck cancer experts at VA hospitals or partner medical centers. Patient navigators and resource specialists are also available to help with scheduling, transportation, and emotional or social support along the way.
- The PACT Act is a U.S. law that expands health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. If a Veteran has a health problem that’s covered under the PACT Act, the VA will approve disability benefits automatically once it’s diagnosed, as long as their service and location match the law’s requirements.
- The VA’s SmokefreeVET sends daily text messages that provide support, encouragement, and tips for quitting tobacco products like cigarettes and chew.
- For those who live far from VA hospitals, the VA Mission Act allows Veterans to receive care from community providers if they live more than 40 miles away from a VA facility. However, specialized head and neck cancer care is often found in urban areas, so travel may still be necessary.
- The National Cancer Benefits Center helps Americans who have been exposed to government-created radiation – and subsequently were diagnosed with cancer as a result of that exposure – to get the compensation they deserve.
- The Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.
- The NAVIGATE program is a partnership between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Department of Veterans Affair (VA) to facilitate enrollment of veterans with cancer into NCI-funded clinical trials.
- Can’t forget about our caregivers! The VA Caregiver Support Program offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system.
- The Disabled American Veterans’ free, professional assistance helps veterans and their families get the benefits they’ve earned—staying with them through every step of the process.
- The Wounded Warrior Project is the nation’s leading veterans service organization, dedicated to improving the total well-being of post‑9/11 wounded, ill, and injured veterans, service members, and their families. Their innovative programs and life‑changing services strengthen mental, physical, emotional, and financial wellness—empowering warriors and their loved ones to thrive while helping prevent veteran suicide.
