Army bomb disposal veterans may have a significantly increased risk of developing bladder cancer compared to the general public, according to a newly published study.
A research letter published in the medical journal BJU International and presented at the European Association of Urology Annual Congress in Madrid suggests that the incidence of bladder cancer among British Army veteran bomb disposal officers under 70 may be five times higher than among the general public, raising urgent concerns about occupational exposure to hazardous substances.
The study was conducted by a team from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), University of Birmingham, King’s College London, University of Glasgow and South Wales NHS Trust, and has identified a disproportionately high rate of bladder cancer among the cohort of former bomb disposal operatives following a survey of about 30% (688 of 2,300) of veterans serving in Explosive Ordnance Disposal since 1970.
Dr. Gareth Collett CBE, an Executive Director at UWTSD’s Wales Institute for Science and Art (WISA) and the study’s lead author said, “This research isn’t about blame; it’s about raising awareness among veterans and general practitioners, protecting those still serving, and ensuring that lessons are learned.
“Our findings suggest that there is a significant link between exposure to certain explosives encountered by ammunition technicians during their careers and bladder cancer, and a definitive study based on these findings could lead to real change that saves lives.”
Professor Rik Bryan, Director of the Bladder Cancer Research Center at the University of Birmingham and a co-author of the study said, “Despite the relatively small size of this initial study, the findings provide a strong signal that there is a considerably increased risk of bladder cancer among members of the ammunition technician profession who are exposed to certain explosives on a regular basis. This risk is significant enough to warrant urgent further investigation and a definitive study working with as many veterans as possible.
“Bladder cancer is a common cancer, but many people may not be aware that, beyond blood in the urine, there are other signs of the disease such as changes in urination and bladder irritation that mimic the symptoms of a urine infection or cystitis. The majority of patients with these symptoms do not have bladder cancer, but further investigation should be initiated, particularly in at-risk populations.
“With this study, the signs point to a group of heroic individuals who have served our country being at a greater risk of developing bladder cancer, and we would recommend that health care professionals have a greater awareness of a potential risk among veterans.”
Personal experience
The research was inspired by the personal experience of Dr. Collett, a retired British Army Brigadier, and former head of UK bomb disposal. After being diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2023, Gareth shared his diagnosis in a private social media group for retired and serving ammunition technicians.
Within days, other members of that group reported similar diagnoses, leading Dr. Collett and a team of urologists, epidemiologists, and scientists to investigate whether there is a higher incidence among the population as the lifetime incidence of bladder cancer in the general population is below 1%.
Dr. Gareth Collett said, “I was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 56. I had been an ammunition technical officer for 33 years, seeing operational service in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and in less publicized operations globally. I was fortunate to survive when many of my friends and colleagues did not. However, I carry psychological scars and wasn’t expecting to deal with another unwanted consequence of military service. The diagnosis was somewhat of a shock and the treatment quite invasive.
“It affects your life and those around you. The impact of immunotherapy and transurethral resections of tumors is physical and psychological. It can prevent you from having intimate relationships with your partner, interfere with your sleep patterns, and change the way you need to pee—in the most severe cases, it may involve the removal of your bladder, prostate, lymph nodes and urethra.
“The immediate supposition by medical professionals was that it was a heavy smoker’s disease. This was not the case at all for me, leading to the possibility that it could be occupationally related given my service history and frequent visits to the Regimental Medical Officer with bouts of overactive bladder for over a decade.
“Anecdotal evidence was already being amassed by the ammunition technical profession, raising concerns about the link between explosives and urological cancers. However, there was very little epidemiological evidence available for the MOD to consider this a matter of concern.
“As such, I decided to gather factual and preliminary evidence, speaking with service charities, learned professors of urology and trade professionals to formulate an initial epidemiological survey. This survey led to the standard incidence ratios and confidence intervals reported in the paper, and the necessity for further action.
“The profession is epitomized by the ‘Lonely Walk,’ that approach you do on your own when dealing with unpredictable explosives. This research suggests that those who have hung up their bomb suits, or destroyed stockpiles of ammunition during their careers, may have one further lonely walk to take long after their service is over. Let’s make sure we have the support mechanisms in place to assist those who have given so much to their country.”
Implications for veteran health and policy change
Further investigation linked the exposure to the disposal of munitions containing nitro-explosives such as TNT, and their combustion products. Studies have long established that occupational exposure to certain chemicals increases the risk of bladder cancer, particularly among professions such as tire and chemical industry workers but the team believe that this is the first study linking the disease to explosive ordnance disposal.
Since the research began, two more veterans have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, highlighting the immediate need for better screening and preventative measures for those at risk. Service charities have already implemented self-help guidance on early detection, potentially saving lives by enabling earlier diagnosis.
The study’s authors are calling for:
- Further large-scale research into the long-term health impacts of explosive exposure.
- Changes in military safety regulations regarding the disposal and handling of explosives.
- Regular screening programs for at-risk individuals, using low-cost urinalysis tests for early detection of bladder cancer.
- Raised awareness among GPs when dealing with veterans exposed to explosives during their careers, particularly if they are aged below 70 and are experiencing blood in their urine.
More information:
Gareth Collett et al, Occupational incidence of bladder cancer amongst veteran ammunition technicians of the British Army, BJU International (2025). DOI: 10.1111/bju.16678
Citation:
Bladder cancer link to explosive ordnance exposure among Army veteran bomb disposal officers (2025, March 26)
retrieved 26 March 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-bladder-cancer-link-explosive-ordnance.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
Army bomb disposal veterans may have a significantly increased risk of developing bladder cancer compared to the general public, according to a newly published study. A research letter published in the medical journal BJU International and presented at the European Association of Urology Annual Congress in Madrid suggests that the incidence of bladder cancer among British Army veteran bomb disposal officers under 70 may be five times higher than among the general public, raising urgent concerns about occupational exposure to hazardous substances. The study was conducted by a team from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), University of Birmingham, King’s College London, University of Glasgow and South Wales NHS Trust, and has identified a disproportionately high rate of bladder cancer among the cohort of former bomb disposal operatives following a survey of about 30% (688 of 2,300) of veterans serving in Explosive Ordnance Disposal since 1970. Dr. Gareth Collett CBE, an Executive Director at UWTSD’s Wales Institute for Science and Art (WISA) and the study’s lead author said, “This research isn’t about blame; it’s about raising awareness among veterans and general practitioners, protecting those still serving, and ensuring that lessons are learned. “Our findings suggest that there is a significant link between exposure to certain explosives encountered by ammunition technicians during their careers and bladder cancer, and a definitive study based on these findings could lead to real change that saves lives.” Professor Rik Bryan, Director of the Bladder Cancer Research Center at the University of Birmingham and a co-author of the study said, “Despite the relatively small size of this initial study, the findings provide a strong signal that there is a considerably increased risk of bladder cancer among members of the ammunition technician profession who are exposed to certain explosives on a regular basis. This risk is significant enough to warrant urgent further investigation and a definitive study working with as many veterans as possible. “Bladder cancer is a common cancer, but many people may not be aware that, beyond blood in the urine, there are other signs of the disease such as changes in urination and bladder irritation that mimic the symptoms of a urine infection or cystitis. The majority of patients with these symptoms do not have bladder cancer, but further investigation should be initiated, particularly in at-risk populations. “With this study, the signs point to a group of heroic individuals who have served our country being at a greater risk of developing bladder cancer, and we would recommend that health care professionals have a greater awareness of a potential risk among veterans.” The research was inspired by the personal experience of Dr. Collett, a retired British Army Brigadier, and former head of UK bomb disposal. After being diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2023, Gareth shared his diagnosis in a private social media group for retired and serving ammunition technicians. Within days, other members of that group reported similar diagnoses, leading Dr. Collett and a team of urologists, epidemiologists, and scientists to investigate whether there is a higher incidence among the population as the lifetime incidence of bladder cancer in the general population is below 1%. Dr. Gareth Collett said, “I was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 56. I had been an ammunition technical officer for 33 years, seeing operational service in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and in less publicized operations globally. I was fortunate to survive when many of my friends and colleagues did not. However, I carry psychological scars and wasn’t expecting to deal with another unwanted consequence of military service. The diagnosis was somewhat of a shock and the treatment quite invasive. “It affects your life and those around you. The impact of immunotherapy and transurethral resections of tumors is physical and psychological. It can prevent you from having intimate relationships with your partner, interfere with your sleep patterns, and change the way you need to pee—in the most severe cases, it may involve the removal of your bladder, prostate, lymph nodes and urethra. “The immediate supposition by medical professionals was that it was a heavy smoker’s disease. This was not the case at all for me, leading to the possibility that it could be occupationally related given my service history and frequent visits to the Regimental Medical Officer with bouts of overactive bladder for over a decade. “Anecdotal evidence was already being amassed by the ammunition technical profession, raising concerns about the link between explosives and urological cancers. However, there was very little epidemiological evidence available for the MOD to consider this a matter of concern. “As such, I decided to gather factual and preliminary evidence, speaking with service charities, learned professors of urology and trade professionals to formulate an initial epidemiological survey. This survey led to the standard incidence ratios and confidence intervals reported in the paper, and the necessity for further action. “The profession is epitomized by the ‘Lonely Walk,’ that approach you do on your own when dealing with unpredictable explosives. This research suggests that those who have hung up their bomb suits, or destroyed stockpiles of ammunition during their careers, may have one further lonely walk to take long after their service is over. Let’s make sure we have the support mechanisms in place to assist those who have given so much to their country.” Further investigation linked the exposure to the disposal of munitions containing nitro-explosives such as TNT, and their combustion products. Studies have long established that occupational exposure to certain chemicals increases the risk of bladder cancer, particularly among professions such as tire and chemical industry workers but the team believe that this is the first study linking the disease to explosive ordnance disposal. Since the research began, two more veterans have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, highlighting the immediate need for better screening and preventative measures for those at risk. Service charities have already implemented self-help guidance on early detection, potentially saving lives by enabling earlier diagnosis. The study’s authors are calling for: More information: Citation: This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
Personal experience
Implications for veteran health and policy change
Gareth Collett et al, Occupational incidence of bladder cancer amongst veteran ammunition technicians of the British Army, BJU International (2025). DOI: 10.1111/bju.16678
Bladder cancer link to explosive ordnance exposure among Army veteran bomb disposal officers (2025, March 26)
retrieved 26 March 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-bladder-cancer-link-explosive-ordnance.html
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
