VA physicians are encouraging younger women veterans who served near burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan to get free breast cancer screenings at the VA to identify potentially serious health issues as early as possible.
The VA will be making breast cancer risk assessments and some mammograms free for women veterans 40 and younger who served in combat areas where burn pits and other toxins were present. Currently, those same services are free for women above 40.
These free screenings were mandated under the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act which was passed into law by Congress in June 2022. Breast cancer is already a presumptive condition under the PACT Act. Veterans who served in some areas not covered by the PACT Act may also be eligible for the expanded screening options. Those areas are noted in the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.
The breast cancer screenings include a series of questions about a patients’ military toxic exposure history, their family medical history, and other potential health risk factors. A mammogram may be recommended for additional medical care in certain cases.
Eligible veterans who would like a free breast cancer screening may request one through their VA care provider or reach out to local VA medical centers.
If you think you may have a claim under the PACT Act, please contact the experienced Veterans’ disability attorneys at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today for a free case evaluation. Gardberg & Kemmerly serves Veterans across the United States from their home office in Mobile, Alabama. Please call our office at 251-343-1111 or 1-800-332-1529 for a free consultation.