A Veteran's Research on ET

We received the following email from a veteran who has been diagnosed with Essential Thrombocytosis (ET):

---

I am a Canadian Armed Forces Engineer who was diagnosed with Essential Thrombocytosis (ET), a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), in September 2023.  I am writing to you today because I believe there is a direct link between my diagnosis and my military service, particularly my deployment to Afghanistan from January to August 2007. 

I understand that many veterans face similar challenges in connecting their service to a subsequent cancer diagnosis.  I am sharing a comprehensive, evidence-based report I put together that I believe can be valuable for anyone in my current position. The report, titled "Essential Thrombocytosis as a Service-Related Condition in Canadian Armed Forces Combat Engineers," details the scientific and medical basis for this connection.  It explains that ET is a blood cancer caused by acquired genetic mutations, which can be triggered by exposure to DNA-damaging agents. The report identifies several key exposures inherent to the Combat Engineer trade that are linked to these mutations:

• Explosives: Handling and detonating military explosives like TNT and RDX can expose personnel to toxic chemical byproducts and residues.

• Fuels and Exhaust: Chronic exposure to benzene from fuels and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from diesel exhaust are known to target blood-forming stem cells and are classified as human carcinogens.

• Burn Pits: The report specifically highlights the hazardous environment of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Afghanistan, where open-air burn pits created a toxic plume containing a mixture of carcinogens, including dioxins, furans, and heavy metals.

The report concludes that the combination of these exposures creates a scientifically plausible pathway for the development of ET.  It also references the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) policy, which already presumes a service connection for other related myeloid neoplasms, such as leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes, for veterans with burn pit exposure. 

I am sharing this information because I believe it can provide a strong foundation for others with similar claims. I have attached the report for your review and use.

---

Read the full Report.  Report on Essential Thrombocytosis.