Veteran Affairs National Oncology Program (NOP)

The Veterans Affairs National Oncology Program works to provide Veterans with cancer care by providing access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

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VA oncologist speaking with senior patients about the va's national oncology program

What is the VA’s National Oncology Program (NOP)

The National Oncology Program, a component of the Veterans Health Administration, works to improve the lives of Veterans by providing cancer care. The program ensures that Veterans have access to cancer diagnosis and treatment services. Many Veterans were exposed to nasty chemicals, like asbestos, that led to the development of conditions like mesothelioma during their time in the military. Therefore, the NOP guarantees that patients have access to top-rated VA cancer centers and nationwide clinical trials. Join us as we discuss and learn more about the different facets of the National Oncology Program.

VA Lung Precision Oncology Program

The VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) is a part of the Precision Oncology Initiative. The program aims to give VA clinicians tools to address and treat lung cancer in Veterans. The program prioritizes screening, genetics testing, access to clinical trials, and translation of discoveries. The VA LPOP has locations all across the nation to serve as centralized hubs to ensure that Veterans, no matter where they live, have access to medical oncology.

PHASER Program

The PHASER PGx testing program, or pharmacogenomics testing for veterans, offers genetic testing for Veterans to inform decisions about their medications. The program aims to supply Veterans with information on commonly prescribed medications. Cancer patients do not need to worry about funding, as the program provides testing to current VA patients at no cost as part of the Army’s benefits.

VA National Precision Oncology Program

The National Oncology Program Office (NPOP) is a program led by the National Oncology Program Office. The long-term goal of the program is to develop a Cancer Registry. A Cancer registry would provide medical professionals with samples of cancer and cancer mutations to help learn genetic responses to current therapies. The samples could include genomics, like bone marrow or DNA, and protein varieties. With this program, medical professionals can determine how well therapies like radiation or immunotherapy work on solid tumors and blood cancers.

VA Oncology Types

There are three primary areas of oncology based on treatment type: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.

  • Medical Oncology – treat cancer using medication like chemotherapy or targeted therapy
  • Radiation Oncology – treat cancer with radiation therapy, high-energy x-rays
  • Surgical Oncology – treat cancer using surgery like a biopsy

However, there are additional types of oncology such as hematology oncology which studies diseases that affect the blood and bone marrow. These areas of study allow high-quality oncology clinical pathways to detail treatment protocols for cancer care. Patients can access this treatment from the VA whether they are Veterans or not. If you feel that you require oncology services or general guidance, let Mesothelioma Vets help you explore your options.