This section on veterans and lung cancer is dedicated to the memory of Rear Admiral Philip J. Coady, USN, former chairman of the Board of Directors of Lung Cancer Alliance.

Rear Admiral Philip Coady former Chairman of the Board of Lung Cancer Alliance, former President of the Navy Mutual Aid Association, commanded the USS CONOLLY (DD 979), USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) and KITTY HAWK Battle Group. He also served as Treasurer of World USO and was on the Boards of Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and the Naval History Foundation. He was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer in 2005 and died in 2008. He was a lifelong non-smoker.

Veterans and Lung Cancer

“Lung cancer is an urgent priority among veterans. Not only is the incidence higher,

but the survival is lower than in civilian populations.”

Scope of the Problem:

Overall the toll of lung cancer deaths in the United States exceeds that of the next four major cancers combined.  On average 438 people a day will die of lung cancer in 2009.

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program http://seer.cancer.gov

          http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2006/index.html   

Lung Cancer and Wartime Exposure

Veterans, Smoking and Other Risk Factors

Department of Energy and Department of Defense Lung Cancer Programs

The Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act, Independent Budget and Other Legislative Initiatives

The Unmet Needs of Veterans and Lung Cancer

Sources