Posted on June 19th, 2025
Today, among active-duty service members in the U.S., testicular cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer, and scientific evidence suggests specific military exposures may contribute to this increase. Military firefighters have been exposed to PFAS found in AFFF used for training and emergency response.
This discovery is significant beyond individual cases. Most commonly, testicular cancer affects men between 15 and 45 years old, which makes it a particular risk for service members in the military who are usually serving during these peak risk years. Experts have been unable to explain why testicular cancer has doubled in incidence over the past 40 years.
AFFF has cancer-causing chemicals: PFAS linked to testicular cancer in military personnel
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) contains fluorine-based chemicals that have been associated with cancer, including testicular cancer. These "forever chemicals" are also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may accumulate in the blood of people who are constantly exposed to them. National Cancer Institute researchers examined the relationship between blood levels of PFAS chemicals and testicular cancer risk among active-duty Air Force service members. A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives analyzed 530 cases of testicular cancer diagnosed during active duty and 530 cancer-free controls with blood samples collected before diagnosis. For several decades, AFFF had been used for firefighting training and emergency response duties of military firefighters, making them highly vulnerable to the cancer-causing effects of PFAS chemicals in the foam.
Researchers have discovered that elevated blood levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS chemical, are associated with an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
AFFF had been used by military firefighters in airports and military installations
Airports and military installations use firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals to extinguish petroleum-based fires. What makes PFAS chemicals very dangerous is that they are hard to break down, simply persisting in the environment for long periods and accumulating in the blood of organisms.
Laboratory studies show that PFAS chemicals promote testicular cancer growth in animals that were exposed to doses similar to what humans are exposed to. Researchers found that PFAS exposure can alter gene expression patterns related to DNA methylation. PFAS can also affect metabolic pathways, including those that affect steroid biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism by acting as endocrine disruptors, mimicking fatty acid-based compounds that control how the body metabolizes lipids and regulates hormones.
Military firefighters are at the highest risk of AFFF exposure
Several groups within the military face elevated risks of AFFF exposure, and consequently, higher risks of developing AFFF-related cancer, such as testicular cancer. These groups include active and retired military firefighters who used AFFF�while stationed at military bases, airports, or other installations.
Early detection and access to quality treatment can improve the prognosis of testicular cancer. The cure rate is 90%, and five-year survival is 95%.
Legal support for military firefighters with AFFF-related testicular cancer
Military firefighters diagnosed with testicular cancer who were exposed to AFFF during their service may have legal recourse. The connection between military AFFF exposure and testicular cancer, supported by peer-reviewed scientific research, provides a foundation for potential compensation claims.
Our legal team has more than three decades of experience representing individuals harmed by toxic exposures, including military firefighters affected by chemical contamination. We provide free case evaluations to determine whether your testicular cancer diagnosis may be connected to your AFFF exposure from military firefighting.
