Kidney Cancer and the Military: Understanding the Connection

Q: Which branch of the military did you serve in, and for how long?
A: I proudly served in the United States Navy from 1993 to 2013. I spent seven years on active duty from 1993 to 1999 and continued as a reservist from 2000 to 2013.

Q: Can you share any information about your service and locations?
A: During my active duty years, I attended Nuclear Power Schools in Orlando, FL, and Ballston Spa, NY. I also underwent Surface Warfare School training in Newport, RI. I served on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) for three years, where we deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea/Persian Gulf during the Gulf War era. Finally, I was stationed at Naval Reactors HQ in Washington, DC.

Q: Did you have any presumptive exposure to toxins during your service?
A: Yes, during my time at sea in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf areas, as well as during port visits in the UAE, I was exposed to toxic burn pits. These environments put me at risk for various health issues, including kidney cancer.

Q: How many years elapsed between your exposure and your kidney cancer diagnosis?
A: There was a 15-year gap between my exposure and my kidney cancer diagnosis. However, it is important to note that the disease may take years to emerge, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and screening.

Q: What has been your experience with the VA concerning screenings, healthcare/treatment, and disability claims?
A: Initially, I faced challenges when seeking service connection from the VA for my kidney cancer; my claims were denied. However, with the passage of the PACT Act, which made kidney cancer a presumptive condition of toxic exposure, I resubmitted my claim, specifically stating my exposure during the Gulf War era. This time, it was rather quickly approved (August 2022-January 2023), including my prior lung metastases being service-connected.

Q: What does the passage of the PACT Act mean to you and your family?
A: The PACT Act holds significant importance for me and my family. It acknowledges the impact of toxic environments on veterans like me, offering a presumption of service connection for many unexplained illnesses. This recognition opens up a new healthcare system for me, and I plan to take full advantage of the resources and support it provides.

Q: You’ve been a steady advocate for funding the CDMRP Kidney Cancer Research Program. Tell us about your reasons for advocating.
A: KCRP funding directly impacts the advancement of kidney cancer research and provides critical support for veterans like myself. The recognition of kidney cancer as a presumptive condition for potentially thousands of military veterans emphasizes the urgency of funding and finding better treatments and care.

Q: Do you have any advice for other veterans diagnosed with kidney cancer?
A: My advice would be to file your claim as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to seek the support you need and deserve.

Q: Diana, can you share some background information about Michael’s military service and his exposure to toxins?
A: Michael served in the United States Navy, Naval Air, from 1960 to 1964. As a firefighter with the crash crew, he had regular and intense exposure to fire-retardant foams containing PFOS and PFOA. This exposure occurred during his work with burn pits and while driving a fire truck equipped with a turreted expeller of fire-retardant foam. At a burn pit, he and the crew l aid down a thick coating of foam at the periphery and then drove the truck into and onto the foam to reach the center of the burn. The outside of the truck, the tires, and inside the cab were regularly coated with  the foam. The crews’ coveralls, gloves, helmets were covered as well. They were never washed, cleaned, or exchanged and become stiff with the dried foam over time.

Q: How many years elapsed between Michael’s exposure and his diagnosis?
A: Michael’s first kidney cancer diagnosis came 36 years after his exposure. Prior to his diagnosis, his civilian primary care physician suspected a bladder infection or prostate issue due to trace amounts of blood in his urine. Subsequent scans revealed a large tumor on his left kidney. At the age of 58, he underwent a left-side nephrectomy and adrenalectomy in 2000.

Q: How has Michael fared since his first diagnosis?
For five years following his left kidney removal, Michael had clear scans. In early 2015, when Michael was 73, he began to have symptoms — gout, blood in his urine, flank pain — and a large tumor was discovered on his remaining right kidney. Three years of targeted therapies and immunotherapy did not work, and Michael had his second nephrectomy at age 76.

Michael began hemodialysis, and after six months of in-clinic treatment, I became certified to do the dialysis at home. Because of my experience in a medical office, I was able to care for his fistula and manage his dialysis four days a week.

In 2021, at the age of 79, Michael fortunately received a kidney transplant. All was well until March of 2023, when a tumor was found on his one remaining adrenal gland, confirmed by biopsy to be metastasized from his previous kidney cancer.

Q: What has been Michael’s experience with the VA regarding screenings, healthcare, and disability claims?
A: Michael filed multiple VA disability claims related to his kidney cancers but faced denials. Despite providing extensive supporting documentation, he initially encountered challenges. However, with perseverance, engagement with the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), and involvement of an advocate, he was eventually granted 100% disability in February 2021.

Q: What does the passage of the PACT Act mean to you and your family?
A: The passage of the PACT Act is of immense importance to us. It signifies the recognition, validation, and support for military servicemen who have suffered chemical injury related to their service. It also ensures that others won’t have to endure the same arduous fight for recognition and medical aid that Michael faced.

Q: What advice would you give to other veterans diagnosed with kidney cancer?
A: Our advice to fellow veterans facing a kidney cancer diagnosis is to persist and not accept “NO” as an answer. Conduct thorough research, gather supporting information, engage with organizations like the DAV, and seek the assistance of advocates. Provide detailed records, including letters from diagnosing doctors, to strengthen your case and emphasize the likelihood of chemical involvement in your cancer diagnosis.

Q: How has this process impacted you as a caregiver to Michael?
A: These past seven years as a caregiver for Michael have been incredibly challenging. We have had to navigate the medical care system, as well as manage medications, handle paperwork, and respond to numerous complications and crises related to his kidney cancer. The toll on my emotional well-being has been significant, leading to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Making these systems less difficult for patients and their caregivers is critically important.

Q: Which branch of the military did you serve in and for how long?
A: I served in the United States Marine Corps for four years from October 1973 to October 1977. I held the rank of Sergeant, E5, and received an honorable discharge. During my service, I underwent training in Ground Radio and Ground Radar Repair at Parris Island, SC, and attended the Communications and Electronics School in 29 Palms, CA. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, with the 2nd Amtrac Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and later served in Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Marine Division as a Sensor Control and Management Platoon Shop Chief (SCAMP).

Q: Can you share any presumptive exposures you experienced during your military service?
A: During my time at Camp Lejeune’s Courthouse Bay from February 1975 to November 1975 and again from January 1977 to October 1977, I was exposed to contaminated drinking water. The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by numerous pollutants between 1953 and 1988.

Q: How many years passed between your exposure and your diagnosis of kidney cancer?
A: I left Camp Lejeune in October 1977. While my current stage 4 cancer diagnosis was determined in May 2021, I experienced kidney-related issues starting in 2012, including several serious kidney stone attacks and regular hematuria throughout the 2010s.

Q: Could you share your experience with the VA regarding screenings, healthcare/treatment, and disability claims?
A: Shortly after my cancer diagnosis, I applied for disability payments and was approved for full disability several months later, which I continue to receive. The VA had already approved full medical coverage for me, and I have utilized the VA’s Community Care program for more accessible healthcare, which has been immensely helpful.

Q: What does the passage of the PACT Act mean to you and your family?
A: The PACT Act has made it possible for me to pursue legal action against the government for damages. I have retained a law firm to represent me in negotiations between the government and veterans of Camp Lejeune. While any financial benefit may be minimal due to deductions from the benefits I’ve already received, the act holds significant importance in terms of recognition, validation, and the potential for medical aid for chemical injuries related to our service.

Q: What led you to advocate for CDMRP Kidney Cancer Research Program funding? 
A: Over the last 22 months, my life has depended on the progress made in kidney cancer research. The clinical trial I participated in at UMass Medical School in Worcester, which included experimental drugs like Cabozantinib and Radium 223, can be attributed to my survival during this time. As a victim of a rare form of kidney cancer called Collecting Duct Carcinoma (CDC), further research is not just important but vital for the continued survival of individuals like me.

Q: Do you have any advice for other veterans diagnosed with kidney cancer?
A: First and foremost, register for Veterans Administration health coverage as soon as possible. This process is relatively easy and will significantly help you acquire the healthcare you need. If you suspect any kidney disease, particularly if you experience discomfort in the lower back, insist on immediate medical attention, especially if you are a Camp Lejeune veteran. Be your own advocate for better healthcare and don’t hesitate to seek additional scrutiny from your healthcare providers.