WASHINGTON D.C.

Rare cancers comprise 25% of all VA cancer diagnoses & VA is developing a Rare Cancers Program

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The Rare Cancers Program focuses on providing high quality, evidence-based care regardless of where a Veteran lives by using National TeleOncology; equitable and comprehensive care through clinical decision support; molecular testing to guide precision oncology treatments; and rare cancer research.   

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VA defines rare cancers as those with an annual U.S. incidence rate of fewer than 6 cases per 100,000 individuals in the general U.S. population

 

This standard was adopted by the American Cancer Society and is used by the National Institutes of Health.

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Service Connection for Rare Respiratory Cancers 

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VA determined through a focused review of scientific and medical evidence there is biological plausibility between airborne hazards and carcinogenesis of the respiratory tract — and the unique circumstances of these rare cancers warrant a presumption of service connection. The rarity and severity of these illnesses and the reality these conditions present, is a situation where it may not be possible to develop additional evidence, prompted VA to take this action.

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About the VA's Complex Exposure Threats Center of Excellence (CETCE)

 

CETCE is a national VA center to manage, evaluate, care for, and study Veterans and VA Cohorts of new, complex and poorly understood military occupational and environmental exposures.

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