Veterans With Cancer: Providing Care in the Community

Cancer is more prevalent in the military veteran population than in the general population and is often associated with radiation and chemical exposures encountered while in service. Veterans with cancer may have complex comorbidities, including mental health conditions and social challenges, that can interfere with successful cancer treatment. As more veterans receive their cancer care in the community outside the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), oncology nurses must be aware of these issues and provide appropriate interventions to increase the likelihood that positive cancer treatment outcomes are realized for these patients.