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11
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2 pages
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Camp Mirage
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Can you confirm the presence of burn pits at Camp Mirage. Thank you.
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Marie
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Answer: Hello Marie,
Canadians operated out of Camp Mirage, at the Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, from 2001 to 2010. In regard to Burn Pits, I could not find Al Minhad Air Base on the lists of known Burn Pits in the UAE, and I cannot recall veterans identifying Camp Mirage burn pits. However, it is quite likely that burn pits were used. I did find a VRAB decision that appears to be about Burn Pits at Camp Mirage, but does not specifically identify the location. A link to this decision is shown below.
To be successful, a cancer claim will need verifiable evidence that the burn pits existed. I will reach out to veterans and ask if they have evidence or if they can confirm that Burn Pits existed at Camp Mirage.
Jim
https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/cavrab/doc/2025/2025canlii104871/2025canlii104871.html?resultId=fae43f572e6d4c4ca3a225838354fa82&searchId=2025-10-30T11:13:17:663/b172a09d481b4cbf8bf0d2130386b1e6&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAUbWlyYWdlIEFORCBCdXJuIFBpdHMAAAAAAQ
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Multiple myeloma
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Hi I was wondering if you have any documentation to support exposure in the military and multiple myeloma (blood cancer of the plasma cells)
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Dave Snyder
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Answer: Hi Dave,
There have been successful VRAB Reviews for Myeloma as a result of exposure to pesticides and Benzene. Here’s a link.
https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/cavrab/doc/2020/2020canlii38909/2020canlii38909.html?resultId=d2eb452981414785ae11c38556a42c59&searchId=2025-10-12T17:25:18:923/f94b1ac43c33473a9affb21d6cffdf30&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAHbXllbG9tYQAAAAAB
I suggest you study those that were successful to see if they relate to your experience. I’ll check out database when I get home and let you know if I find something else.
Let us know how you make out.
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Breast Cancer
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what Canadian Trades, for women, are affected with breast cancer?
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Shirleyann Mowforth
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Answer: There are some trades that we've seen with breast cancer - Radar Techs and Vehicle Techs for example but it really could be any trade depending on what you were exposed to while in uniform.
Anyone who served in Afghanistan or Bosnia and was exposed to Burn Pits could also end up with Breast Cancer many years after exposure.
Also if you handled known carcinogens such as:
Trichloroethylene
Carbon Tetrachloride
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Benzene and butadiene from gasoline and
Chemicals created by combustion
you are at risk of developing cancer 20 to 30 years after exposure
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Carbon Tetrachloride in the Airforce
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I noticed most of the trades mentioned are not Airforces MOC's .
I know a lot of Carbon Tetrachloride was used in the air force as well. Has there been any investigation for the hard Air Trades for this issue?
Example Trades: 551 Instrument Electrical Technician, 526 Avionics, 514 Aviation, 565 Aircraft Structures Technician, These trade used carbon Tetrachloride as well, especially prior to 1987.
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Tom Shanahan CD Rtd.
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Answer: Tom, Thanks for pointing this out. I just checked our database and see that we have had a number of Air Force Trades register their prostate cancer. I've added these to the page on the need for PSA tests.
I'm not aware of any investigation into the hard Air trades for prostate cancers but I think VAC should look at all trades that used Carbon Tetrachloride in the 70s , 80s and 90s.
Thanks again for bringing this to my attention.
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Offer of Assistance
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My name is Phillip Drew. I served in the CF for 31 years, retiring as a lawyer before going on to teach law in University. My father was also in the service...a RADAR tech (1952-87) who was exposed to high levels of PCBs and now has virtually every illness that one can associate with PCB poisoning, including three types of cancer. Having recently retired from Queen's University I have time on my hands and have been pursuing the issue of PCBs, which has been largely ignored by the military. There are a significant number of RADAR techs who have developed prostate cancer, lymphoma and melanomas, all of which are known side effects of PCB exposure. I would be interested in joining forces with you if you think it might be helpful.
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Dr. Phillip Drew
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Answer: Yes I do think it would be helpful to join forces.
As a radar tech it's highly likely that your father was not only exposed to PCBs which were in all transformers in that era, but he was likely also exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride and trichloroethylene.
Email me at: veteran@veteranswithcancer.com so we can connect.
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Chemicals
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How do I find a list of chemicals my husband may have been exposed to? He is currently still serving, was navy now air force. He has stage 4 metastatic colon cancer and is only 49.
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Michelle
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Answer: Michelle, sorry to hear about your husband’s cancer.
Do you know what years he served in the navy and and Air Force? His trade in both elements will also help us compile a list of chemicals he was exposed to while serving.
If you wish you can provide these details privately by sending them to:
veteran@veteranswithcancer.com.
Jim
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