Bladder Cancer Update from the MOD

Felix Fund is pleased to announce that the Veteran’s Minister, Al Carns, has responded to our work relating to urological cancers. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is establishing an Independent Medical Expert Panel (IMEP) to work with us and the academic community (urologists, epidemiologists and toxicologists) to establish the best way forward. Our message remains simple:

• Further large-scale research into the long-term health impacts of explosive exposure.
• Regular screening programmes for at-risk individuals, using low-cost urinalysis tests for early detection of bladder cancer.
• Raised awareness amongst GP’s when dealing with veterans exposed to explosives during their careers, particularly if they are aged below 70 and are experiencing blood in their urine.

In the meantime, the academic community continues to work with us on a systematic review, which will capture all literature published on occupational exposure and explosives. This is the first time that a review of this nature has ever been conducted, and will look at high explosives, low explosives, additives and taggants. Hopefully, this review will be out by the end of 2025 and will prove pivotal in future energetics industry investment over the coming years.

Our thanks go out to Gareth Collett and Roger Davies, who continues to dedicate their own spare time to identifying and mitigating this risk.