The Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Cancer Incidence and Mortality Study

This study assesses how mortality and cancer incidence rates compare between those members of the Australian Defence Force deployed to the MEAO and a comparison group (who did not deploy to the MEAO). Comparisons are also made between these groups and rates of cancer and mortality in the general population.

This study provides the means to monitor cancer incidence and mortality rates over an extended period, to determine whether deployment to the MEAO is associated with a higher level of risk of cancer and mortality outcomes. The first results from the MEAO Mortality and Cancer Incidence study were released by the Department of Defence in early 2014. This report is available on the Department of Defence website.

Data include de-identified demographics of those in the nominal roll, de-identified mortality and aggregated cancer incidence data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).