May is National Cancer Research Month: What Does This Mean for 9/11 Cancers?

May marks National Cancer Research Month, a time to recognize the vital importance of cancer research in prevention, detection, and treatment. For individuals affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this month carries additional meaning. More than two decades have passed, and thousands of 9/11 responders and downtown Manhattan residents, workers, and students who were exposed to 9/11 dust continue to face long-term health consequences, including over 70 different types of 9/11-related cancers that have been linked to toxic exposure in the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC). 

As we observe National Cancer Research Month, we highlight the ways in which scientific progress, advocacy, and funding have made it possible to better understand, treat, and support those living with 9/11-related cancers, as well as what the future of 9/11 cancer research might look like.

Understanding 9/11 Cancers

It is clear that exposure to the post-9/11 toxic air is responsible for the increased risk of developing serious, long-term illnesses, including various types of cancer. Over the nine months after the 9/11 attacks, Lower Manhattan was engulfed in a toxic cloud of dust and debris, which contained a dangerous mix of carcinogens and other hazardous materials such as asbestos, benzene, lead, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). First responders and recovery workers, as well as downtown residents, office workers, students, and others, were exposed to these harmful substances for hours, days, weeks and months. 

To date, more than 70 types of cancer have been proven through rigorous research to be linked to 9/11 exposure and are covered by the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The list of cancers now associated with 9/11 exposure includes:

• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma
• Skin cancers
• Mesothelioma
• Plus 60+ others

Most of these cancers may not appear until many years after the original toxic exposure, with latency periods for certain solid tumors and blood cancers ranging from four years to more than a decade. Ongoing cancer research has been essential to establishing the connection between 9/11 and various types of cancer. The long-term and unpredictable nature of these conditions has also made ongoing cancer research essential to the health and well-being of the 9/11 community.

The Importance of Cancer Research for 9/11 Cancers

Thanks to decades of scientific research, cancer outcomes have improved across the board. Yet 9/11-related cancers pose unique challenges. Individuals with 9/11 cancer include patients with multiple or rare cancers, and include younger-than-expected cancer patients who have developed cancer earlier than typically observed in the general population. Cancer research plays a crucial role in helping the medical and scientific communities:

• Understand how long-term exposure to environmental toxins contributes to cancer development
• Develop early detection protocols for high-risk populations, like 9/11 responders
• Discover more effective, targeted therapies with fewer side effects
• Improve the quality of life and survival rates for patients

Organizations such as the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are actively studying how occupational and environmental exposures, like those experienced during and after 9/11, lead to cancer. Their work has helped shape public policy, drive innovation in cancer therapy and diagnosis, and support the funding of programs that serve affected individuals.

Recent Advances in Cancer Treatment and Research for 9/11 Victims

In the years since the attacks, several important advancements have emerged that are of benefit to those with 9/11-related cancers. Thanks to ongoing advocacy and research, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) now covers over 70 types of cancer, offering free medical monitoring and treatment, as well as financial compensation to eligible individuals through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). These benefits have been reinforced by new studies that support the inclusion of additional cancer types and show how toxic exposure at Ground Zero is linked to higher-than-average cancer incidence rates among first responders, recovery workers, and others who were exposed in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks. 

Research has also led to groundbreaking cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer cells. These therapies have been particularly beneficial for cancers like melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and certain lymphomas, all of which are common among 9/11 victims. Precision medicine, which uses genetic testing to tailor treatment plans to the individual’s cancer type, is also improving outcomes for many patients in the 9/11 community.

Furthermore, data gathered through programs like the WTCHP has led to a better understanding of occupational hazards. Researchers have been able to identify patterns of cancer development in high-risk occupational groups, such as firefighters, recovery workers, construction workers, law enforcement officers, and other 9/11 responders who were repeatedly exposed to toxic environments. These insights have influenced broader workplace safety standards and increased attention to the need for occupational health monitoring.

The Future of 9/11 Cancer Research

While much has been accomplished, continued investment in cancer research is vital for the 9/11 community. Residents, workers, students, and responders will continue to face new health challenges in the coming decades, as long-term effects of toxic exposure evolve and emerge. Key areas of focus for 9/11 cancer research moving forward include:

• Identifying biomarkers for the early detection of 9/11-related cancers
• Elucidating disease mechanisms to inform clinical care of cancer patients
• Extending follow-up, resulting in a more thorough understanding of late-developing cancers and cancer survivors with 9/11 exposure histories
• Addressing cancer disparities in underserved populations, including women and communities of color within the 9/11 population
• Improving mental health outcomes for individuals dealing with both cancer and PTSD from the attacks
  
  

May’s National Cancer Research Month reminds us that research saves and improves lives, in very real and personal ways, for those impacted by 9/11. For many in the 9/11 community, cancer research has led to life-extending treatments, improved monitoring, and access to care that would not have existed twenty years ago.

If you or a loved one was present in the aftermath of 9/11 and has developed a cancer or other 9/11-related health condition, help is available. Programs like the World Trade Center Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund are here to provide healthcare, support, and financial relief. Thanks to ongoing research, the outlook for individuals with 9/11-related cancers continues to improve. Contact the team at Hansen & Rosasco to learn more.