Breast Cancer amongst Military members particularly women who were stationed in Hawaii, exposure to pesticides, fumigants, herbicides, occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals and environments.

Under federal law, Veterans diagnosed with breast cancer linked to pesticide exposure in Hawaii can seek VA disability compensation through a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA). It is necessary for them to provide the VA specific dates, exact locations, (base name, housing, or work facility) while serving.

Additionally breast cancer is considered a presumptive condition under the PACT Act for qualifying Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. Under this presumption the VA automatically assumes that your military service caused the illness. Meaning you do not have to prove a service connection to receive disability compensation.

Veterans particularly women who were stationed in Hawaii report higher breast cancer rates than the national average. Exposure to endocrine disrupting agricultural chemicals, like chlordane and heptachlor has historically leached into the islands groundwater and soil on bases like Marine Corps Base Hawaii and other locations like the Kunia Field Station. The soil fumigant ethylene dibromide (EDB), a human carcinogen was found in water wells. Restricted use organochlorine pesticides, fumigants and herbicides have been found in the water wells and soil at Field Station Kunia property. In 2021 Hawaii State Legislature passed legislation urging The Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize presumptive service connection for chronically ill Veterans who were stationed and served there. Historically women Veterans face up to a 40% higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to civilian women from occupational exposure to toxins, airborne hazards (like burn pits) high-stress military environments and radiation. All contribute to their elevated risk according to the Purple Heart Foundation.

Finally, of note Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a recognized human carcinogen. While the strongest evidence links TCE to kidney cancer, some epidemiological studies indicate a potential association with breast cancer. Research suggests prolonged exposure may increase the risk of specific types of tumors, such as estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer in women over 50, and may also be linked to male breast cancer according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Trichloroethylene (TCE) above normal levels was found in water wells located at Field Station Kunia and water wells located over at Schofield Barracks in 1985. Schofield Barracks was officially added to the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. Following groundwater cleanup efforts, the EPA completely removed the site from the NPL in 2000, after the Army achieved sitewide cleanup and construction completion.