NOVEMBER 2004

Cancers

I seem to be going through a spate of having friends, family and RSA members succumbing to various forms of cancer. Can these be linked to Service? Many certainly can and if you believe that there is a link between your cancer and your Service you should make an application for a War Disablement Pension.

We have already discussed skin cancers. Those of you who served in the Tropics and spent time wearing little more than shorts and a pair of sandals and who have now got skin cancers that are being treated with liquid nitrogen or by excision should make sure that you have your complaint checked out for a War Disablement Pension.

If you have been diagnosed with a bladder tumour and you started smoking when you joined the military and then went off to a War or Emergency Service posting then you should make that application. If you have lung, colon or prostate cancer you should look at those same criteria.

If you served in Vietnam there are a number of cancers you should look out for that are particularly due to exposure to Agent Orange. For example: Soft Tissue Sarcoma - The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, connective tissues (tendons), vessels that carry blood or lymph, joints, and fat. There are also Lymphomas, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, Multiple Myeloma, respiratory cancers, prostate cancer, skin cancer (other than melanoma) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. If you doctor diagnoses one of these cancers and you were in Vietnam do not delay contact War Pension Services (0800 553 003) your local RSA Pensions and Welfare Officer or me at RNZRSA in Wellington, we will provide you with the appropriate forms.