H.R. 586 — Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in consultation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to commence not later than 120 days after enactment an epidemiological study on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (i.e., bile duct cancer) in covered veterans of the Vietnam era (i.e., veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era, as defined in 38 U.S.C. §101), using data from the VA Central Cancer Registry and the National Program of Cancer Registries. The study must identify (1) incidence rates of cholangiocarcinoma in such veterans and U.S. residents from the beginning of the Vietnam era to enactment and (2) percentages of cases by demographics including age, gender, race, ethnicity, and geographic location at diagnosis. Not later than one year after study completion, VA must submit to Congress an initial report with study results and recommendations for administrative or legislative actions. VA must also periodically submit follow-up reports with updates, incorporating ongoing tracking of cholangiocarcinoma prevalence in such veterans via the VA Central Cancer Registry.