Army Veteran Links Cancer to Iraq Burn Pit Exposure, Advocates for Fellow Veterans
Army veteran Amber Edens, based in Phoenix, is sharing her story of fighting cancer, which she links to burn pit exposure during her deployment in Iraq, and is now advocating for other veterans.
Phoenix, AZ, November 11, 2026 —
An Army veteran from Phoenix is publicly sharing her battle with cancer, a condition she attributes to burn pit exposure during her service in Iraq. Amber Edens, who served in the Army, is now channeling her experience into advocacy for fellow veterans who may have faced similar health risks.
Edens’ story highlights a growing concern among military personnel and veterans regarding the long-term health impacts of burn pits, which were commonly used in Iraq and Afghanistan to dispose of waste, including plastics, chemicals, and medical debris. Exposure to the toxic smoke emitted from these pits has been linked to various respiratory illnesses and cancers.
While Edens has publicly shared her personal connection between her cancer diagnosis and her time deployed in Iraq, the specific type of cancer she is battling and the timeline of her diagnosis were not detailed in the provided summary. The exact duration and location of her deployment in Iraq were also not specified.
Following her diagnosis and treatment, Edens has become an advocate, aiming to raise awareness and support for other veterans who may be experiencing adverse health effects from their military service. Her advocacy efforts focus on bringing attention to the potential dangers of burn pit exposure and encouraging veterans to seek medical attention and pursue benefits if they suspect a service-related illness.
The scope of Edens’ current advocacy activities, including any specific organizations she works with or legislative initiatives she supports, was not provided. However, her commitment to sharing her personal narrative underscores the ongoing challenges veterans face in addressing health issues that may stem from their service environments.
Story summarized from the original created by Austin Walker on www.azfamily.com, see more information here.
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