According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

“There are steps that individuals can take to help either decrease the risk of cancer or minimize the impact of cancer,” said Col. George E. Peoples, MD, FACS, Deputy Director, United States Military Cancer Institute. “Cancers that are diagnosed at an earlier stage are much more treatable and survivable.”

The United States Military Cancer Institute, which brings together the cancer resources of the Army, Navy and Air Force, responds to challenges presented by cancer among military beneficiaries through research, education and care within the Military Health System.

Peoples said the research done by the institute allows them to compare military to civilian incidences of cancer in adjusted age groups. In some of their most recent studies they have found that breast cancer, along with prostate cancer, has a higher incident rate in the military in both caucasian and black women.

Is there truly a higher rate of cancer in the military population? Peoples believe that the Military Health System seems to have a higher incident of cancer because more patients are getting care.

“In the military there is more surveillance done on health and access to care is free,” he added.

He also said the military chain of command encourages soldiers to get checked and they are also notified if soldiers are getting their scheduled screenings.

Peoples emphasized that even with soldiers getting care that doesn’t mean their family members are. One of the most important things is getting yearly exams and screenings especially those with a “rising risk of cancer” which is considered around the age of 40.

Nutrition and proper health are also important in helping to prevent cancer. “Things that generally make you healthier decrease your risk for cancer,” he said. “Although it seems basic people should follow the rules their mother’s set for them as children.”

Those things include a getting enough sleep, exercise and diet, which help to strengthen and maintain a healthy immune system. He also suggested avoiding risky behavior such as smoking, which he said has been documented to account overall for 1/3 of all cancer, not only lung cancer.

“The military does have interest in cancer and cancer related diagnosis,” Peoples said. “There are a significant number of patients dealing with cancer and it’s important to do everything possible to make sure we are keeping people healthy so they wont have to go through that.”

To learn more about the U.S. Military Cancer Institute, click here.

Other articles from Defense.gov: Face of Defense: Soldier Beats Breast Cancer With Early Detection; Survivor Urges Importance of Mammograms, and Face of Defense: Army Couple Survives Cancer, Continues to Serve