NCT07485322

Burn Pit Exposure in Veterans: A Cancer Screening Pilot Study at the Inova Saville Cancer Screening & Prevention Center

Recruiting
NAAges 35–85InterventionalDiagnostic
Inova Health Care Services
~100 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Avantect Multi-Cancer Detection TestNasal Swab

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
STAI Questionnaire
Measured over 3.5 years
+3 more outcomes measured
Cancer
1 sites across 1 states
Virginia1
  • Rebecca Kaltman, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Inova Health Care Services
  • Stephanie VanBebber · STUDY_DIRECTOR · Inova Health Care Services

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

≥ 35 years
Veteran of the United States Armed Forces (retired/no longer enlisted) with a prior deployment resulting in exposure (based on self-report or official records, if available) to burn pits for \>1 week (exposure defined as on the base or close enough to the base to see the smoke from the burn pit, an area of land used for the open-air combustion of trash and other solid waste products).
Ability to understand and willing to sign informed consent
Ability to understand and willing to sign HIPAA Authorization

Exclusion

No history of malignancy within the past 5 years (non-melanoma skin cancer and in situ carcinoma would still be eligible) and not currently being worked up clinically for suspicion of cancer.
For women of childbearing potential, not pregnant.
  • STAI Questionnaire3.5 years

    Participant Satisfaction and psychosocial impact of cancer screening will be measured by the Anxiety and Satisfaction Survey. The STAI is a validated anxiety tool that has been used in a variety of research and clinical settings, including studies of cancer screening. The survey will be administered at the following timepoints: After enrollment, before each of the up to 8 screening procedures, after each screening procedure, and after the 1 year screening period. The state component of the questionnaire will be administered at the following timepoints: 12-month study visit, 24-month study visit, before each of the up to 8 screening procedures, after post results review from the previous screening assessment, and follow up (1 year + 2 months following the last screening assessment). STAI scores are computed on a scale from 20-80, with higher scores representing a higher degree of anxiety.

  • Burn Pit Exposure Questionnaire1 day

    This questionnaire will determine the demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and burn pit exposure characteristics of participants in the intensive cancer screening regimen. This questionnaire administered during baseline will assess the position, branch, and dates of military service for each participant and whether they were stationed, worked, and/or lived near a burn pit during those dates of service. The questionnaire will also include an assessment of the specific types of duties that the participant performed if working near the burn pit and how many hours they were exposed to smoke or fumes from the burn pit on a typical day. Participants' demographic, lifestyle and clinical, and burn pit exposure characteristics will be summarized using descriptive statistics

  • Cancer Outcomes Follow up Questionnaire1 day

    This questionnaire will describe the number, proportion, and stage of confirmed pre-malignant and malignant findings in veterans exposed to burn pits during each annual screening period and during follow-up for the intensive cancer screening protocol. This questionnaire is completed at 12 (+ 2) months following the 24-month screening assessment by phone or electronically. This questionnaire will assess information on any new diagnoses of cancer since the last screening visit. This information can also be collected from medical records without direct participant contact instead of questionnaire if available within the timeframe. The number, proportion, and type and stage of confirmed cancers, and participant demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics will be summarized using descriptive statistics.

  • Intensive Cancer Screening Feasibility2 years

    Feasibility will be defined as 75% of enrolled participants completing at least 80% of the cancer screening assessments for which they are eligible during each screening period. Any adverse events resulting from the study procedures will be monitored by the research and clinical team during the study visits and will also be assessed during follow-up with participants when the results of screening examinations are provided. The assessments include: * Laboratory assessments (CBC, CMP, TSH, LDH, PSA, urinalysis) * ENT, skin (with Vectra), breast, and neurological exams * Pulmonary function test (PFT) * Flexible Laryngoscopy * Stool-based colon cancer screening (age 35-44 years) * Mammogram (women age 35-39) * Low-dose CT scan of the chest * Brain MRI with contrast (only for those with abnormal neuro exam) * Testicular ultrasound