Comment:  Did an AI (Artificial Intelligence) search this morning  on these words "missileer cancer  study" and look what it brings back:  unofficial of course.  It is a quick summary giving the history and results to date.  The quote is unedited and direct from the search.

Quote:

Missileer Cancer Study Results

The Missileer Cancer Study is an ongoing investigation by the United States Air Force to examine potential links between service in the nuclear missile community and an increased risk of cancer. The study was initiated in response to concerns raised by a Space Force Guardian and former missileer, who presented a slide deck titled “Do Missileers Have Increased Cancer Risk?” in December 2022.

Key Findings

1. Lower cancer rates than expected: Initial results from the study showed lower cancer rates than initially anticipated, with only 23 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma identified in the first stage of the review.
2. Expanded scope: The study has since been expanded to examine 14 different types of cancer and environmental risks at multiple Air Force nuclear missile bases, including Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming; and Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
3. Carcinogens detected: Testing at three Air Force nuclear missile bases revealed the presence of carcinogens, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were detected and cleaned up over the past year.
4. Preliminary results: As of March 2024, nearly 200 cancer cases have been identified among missileers, with only two cancers (breast and prostate) showing disproportionate incidence rates.
5. Study expansion: The Air Force is expanding its review to include deactivated Minuteman wings at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

Methodology

The study is a multi-phase investigation, utilizing data from various sources, including:

1. Electronic medical records
2. Cancer rates and indexes
3. Death indexes
4. Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) databases
5. State cancer registries

Ongoing Efforts

1. Torchlight Initiative: A group of former missileers has launched the Torchlight Initiative, encouraging self-reporting of cancer diagnoses among missileers. To date, they have received reports of 56 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with nearly a third involving former missileers from Malmstrom Air Force Base.
2. Air Force review: The Air Force is continuing its review, aiming to capture data on all missile community members who served from 1976 to 2010, including personnel from security forces, cyber defenders, and other support roles.

Challenges and Limitations

1. Data limitations: The study faces challenges in capturing complete and accurate data, particularly for earlier years and personnel who may not have reported their cancer diagnoses.
2. Causation difficulties: The Air Force has acknowledged that finding a direct causal link between service in the nuclear missile community and cancer is difficult.

Conclusion

The Missileer Cancer Study is an ongoing effort to investigate potential links between service in the nuclear missile community and an increased risk of cancer. While preliminary results suggest lower cancer rates than initially anticipated, the study’s expanded scope and methodology aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. Ongoing efforts, including the Torchlight Initiative, continue to raise awareness and encourage self-reporting among former missileers.