VA and GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer partner to improve outcomes for Veterans at risk of lung cancer

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has partnered with nonprofit GO₂ Foundation for Lung Cancer to increase awareness about lung screening options and improve outcomes for Veterans impacted by lung cancer.

This partnership allows for VA and GO₂ to leverage resources, programs and services available through GO₂ Foundation’s national network of more than 750 centers of excellence.

“Research and initiatives to ensure access to early detection and treatment will greatly improve the care of Veterans with lung cancer,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This public-private partnership will help expand the array of services that are currently available within VA and increase public awareness about Veteran-specific conditions that place Veterans at greater risk for lung cancer.”

VA diagnoses 7,700 Veterans with lung cancer each year and an estimated 900,000 remain at risk due to age, smoking and other environmental exposures during and after military service.

VA will help educate staff at GO₂ Foundation screening centers about Veteran-specific health factors related to lung cancer risk, prevention and response to treatment; share information about applying for VA health care and benefits; and provide access to suicide prevention resources.

This partnership will also provide VA with additional resources from the GO₂ Foundation to help support lung screening program implementation, professional development training and Veteran education. Many of these GO₂ Foundation resources are available online and support social distancing guidelines designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The collaboration is managed by the VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and facilitated by the Veterans Health Administration Office of Community Engagement. For more information, visit health partnerships.