ACES Act

The Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to partner with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a multi-year study. The research would focus on the prevalence and mortality of various cancers among veterans who served as active-duty aircrew in the Armed Forces, specifically those who regularly flew in fixed-wing aircraft. This includes pilots, co-pilots, navigators, and other crew members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

The proposed study aims to identify specific aviation-related exposures—such as chemicals, compounds, and environmental factors—and assess their potential links to various types of cancer, including prostate, melanoma, pancreatic, and testicular cancers. By gathering this data, the bill seeks to provide a scientific basis for understanding the health risks associated with military aviation service. If enacted, the findings could eventually lead to improved prevention strategies, earlier detection protocols, and expanded healthcare benefits for veterans impacted by service-related toxic exposures.