On October 16, AFGSC hosted a virtual town hall via Zoom to disseminate recent MCCS findings and burn test results, acknowledging collaborative efforts with external entities such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and several academic institutions.
Gen. Stephen Davis, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, was joined by USAFSAM commander, Col. Richard Speakman, and members of the headquarters AFGSC staff including the Command Surgeon, Col. Erich Schroeder, in facilitating the session.
This marked the eleventh such public session where AFGSC shared data and responded to questions in coordination with Department of the Air Force medical leaders and specialists from USAFSAM.
The findings presented included a focus on environmental contaminants, specifically polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are widely recognized as toxic and carcinogenic to humans. The briefing continued to highlight past PCB detection efforts at multiple installations, with 23 of 45 samples exceeding acceptable thresholds. While 11 sites have undergone remediation, the remainder are scheduled for mitigation.
In the interim, officials noted that additional efforts have been put in place to safeguard the missile community from PCB exposure, such as discontinuing use of equipment containing PCBs where suitable replacements exist, adding labels to PCB-containing devices, and mandating the use of protective gear when handling PCB-containing equipment.
A recent cancer risk assessment also identified 32 distinct chemicals in emissions from controlled burns. Among these, substances like formaldehyde were found at concentrations exceeding health-based exposure limits, a finding corroborated by NIOSH. Modeling a worst-case exposure scenario for missileers yielded a cancer risk estimate of 1.2 cases per 10,000 individuals.
Impacts in missile community
Notably, the missile community demonstrated statistically significant higher incidence rates for Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer relative to their non-missile counterparts. The missile community also demonstrated a higher incidence of melanoma when compared to the general U.S. population, though this incidence aligned closely with their peers across the broader service. Conversely, this population showed lower overall cancer risk — including reduced rates of lung/bronchus, urinary bladder, colorectal, and prostate cancers. No increased incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was indicated, according to the study findings briefed by USAFSAM.
Earlier updates had also drawn attention to rising rates of testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma among missileers, as well as environmental sampling focused on PCBs and other workplace hazards. “Neither cancer is typically associated with adult occupation exposures,” according to a March 27 press release.
Previous data also confirmed elevated melanoma rates among missileers compared to the general population, though non-UV occupational links remain unestablished by epidemiologists. Similar elevations observed in aviation communities prompted separate studies within the Department of War.
These findings stem from USAFSAM’s analysis of 148,078 cancer cases across federal and regional registries (1976-2010), representing the most comprehensive military cancer study to date using Virtual Pooled Registry data.
Concurrently, the 711th Human Performance Wing assessed risks from historical burn practices in launch centers. Controlled burn tests and exposure modeling indicated cancer risks below “elevated” thresholds though above “negligible” levels (minor transient irritation).
Focus on safety
Air Force Global Strike Command officials stressed that although the epidemiology study is complete, their primary focus remains on continually monitoring and maintaining the safety of all personnel and worksites. The ultimate goal remains clear: to translate statistical correlations into actionable protections that safeguard those who have volunteered for some of the nation’s most critical — and potentially hazardous —duties.
“The health and well-being of our Strikers is fundamental to mission readiness,” said Gen. Davis in an Air Force release. “As a missileer, this remains personal to me. The work completed through the Missile Community Cancer Study gives us important information to better understand potential risks, sustain safe workplaces and continue caring for those affected by any environmental exposures. We will remain transparent with the missile community and ensure these findings inform our actions moving forward.”
Additional information, including recordings of past town halls and a comprehensive FAQ, is available at: https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Resources/Missile-Community-Cancer-Study/
