Capitol Hill is once again focusing on the cancer rates among Aviators and Missileers
News Article: Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act and the Rotary-wing Operator Toxic Occupational Research (ROTOR) Act
The U.S. Congress is taking significant steps to investigate the potential link between cancer and military aviation. Two key pieces of legislation, the Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act and the Rotary-wing Operator Toxic Occupational Research (ROTOR) Act, are at the forefront of this effort.
The ACES Act, passed by Congress in July 2022, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in collaboration with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on cancer rates and mortality among military aviators and aircrew members. The study aims to quantify how often active-duty aircrews, including pilots, navigators, weapons system and aircraft system operators, and fixed-wing flight crew, are diagnosed with various cancers and how often these cases are fatal. Previous research indicates that military aircrews have a 24% higher risk of developing cancer than the general population, notably for melanoma, thyroid, and prostate cancers.
The findings from the ACES Act are intended to provide clearer insights into the potential long-term health impacts related to military flight operations. The hope is to improve screening, treatment protocols, and facilitate veterans’ claims for disability benefits linked to their service-related cancer risks. The legislation enjoys bipartisan support and strong advocacy from military aviation health coalitions.
Regarding the ROTOR Act, current sources do not provide detailed findings or specific information on this legislation or study. However, it is noted that the congressional efforts include legislation both passed and under consideration to study cancer rates in fixed-wing (covered by ACES) and rotary-wing military aviation communities separately. This suggests that the ROTOR Act aims to address health risks among helicopter and other rotary-wing aviators.
In summary, the ACES Act mandates a scientific study on cancer incidence and mortality among fixed-wing military aviators, confirming elevated cancer risks and focusing on improving health outcomes and veteran support. The ROTOR Act, while less detailed in current sources, appears to relate to similar concerns for rotary-wing aircrews. Both Acts reflect a growing congressional and veteran community effort to thoroughly investigate and address cancer risks uniquely affecting military aviators of different flight operations.
- The U.S. Congress is focusing on the potential link between cancer and military aviation, as demonstrated by the Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act and the Rotary-wing Operator Toxic Occupational Research (ROTOR) Act.
- The ACES Act, passed in July 2022, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study cancer rates and mortality among military aviators and aircrew members.
- The aim of the ACES Act is to understand the frequency of cancer diagnoses and related mortality in active-duty aircrews, which includes pilots, navigators, weapons system operators, aircraft system operators, and fixed-wing flight crew.
- Preliminary research indicates a 24% higher cancer risk for military aircrews, particularly for melanoma, thyroid, and prostate cancers.
- Findings from the ACES Act are expected to improve screening, treatment protocols, and potentially facilitate claims for disability benefits related to service-linked cancer risks.
- Although specifics about the ROTOR Act are scarce, it seems to focus on health risks among helicopter and other rotary-wing aviators, in addition to the fixed-wing military aviation community addressed by the ACES Act.
- Both the ACES Act and the yet-to-be-fully-disclosed ROTOR Act underscore a collaborative effort by Congress and the veteran community to conduct extensive research and address unique cancer risks affecting military aviators of different flight operations.
- The pursuit of these Acts promotes the health and wellness of military pilots, veterans, and the aviation community as a whole, while furthering the science and space force's defense and health-related initiatives.
