25 Years After 9/11, Cancer Has Become a Major Health Concern for Survivors
Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the long-term health effects of exposure to the toxic dust and debris at Ground Zero remain a serious concern. Among survivors who were exposed in New York City, cancer has increasingly emerged as one of the most significant health problems.
New data and recent research suggest that the number of survivors receiving financial assistance for cancer treatment has risen sharply in recent years. The trend has renewed questions about the long-term effects of the chemicals and particles released into the air after the World Trade Center towers collapsed.
Cancer cases continue to rise among survivors
The federal World Trade Center Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for eligible first responders and survivors. Survivors include people who lived, worked or attended school in areas affected by the disaster.
According to a Washington Post analysis of World Trade Center Health Program reports, the number of survivors receiving assistance for cancer treatment has increased substantially since 2021.
In June 2021, approximately 8,870 survivors received assistance for cancer care. By 2026, that figure had risen to about 27,300, representing roughly a threefold increase in five years.
The growth has been particularly notable among survivors compared with first responders.
About 54,000 survivors were enrolled in the federal program as of June 2026. Roughly half were receiving cancer-related treatment, compared with approximately 35% five years earlier.
A separate study from researchers at New York University also found evidence of a significant increase. The researchers observed that cancer cases among a smaller group of survivors increased by approximately two and a half times between 2019 and 2024.
Dr. Alan Arslan, an associate professor of population health at NYU and one of the study's authors, told The Washington Post that researchers are concerned about the continued increase in cancer diagnoses.
Toxic exposure may have long-term consequences
In the years immediately following the attacks, many experts were particularly concerned about respiratory problems. The massive clouds of dust and smoke contained numerous substances that could irritate or damage the lungs.
However, the health effects have proved to be much broader.
The debris and dust around Lower Manhattan contained asbestos, benzene and other potentially carcinogenic substances. Fires at Ground Zero continued for months, while contaminated dust spread through nearby buildings, apartments, streets and workplaces.
People who were exposed may have inhaled or swallowed some of these substances. Others may have experienced prolonged contact with contaminated surfaces.
Cancer can take many years to develop following exposure to carcinogens. As a result, researchers continue to monitor survivors decades after the attacks.
This long delay makes it difficult to determine exactly how much any individual exposure contributed to a particular cancer. Cancer has many potential causes, including age, genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors.
Researchers are therefore studying larger populations over longer periods to better understand whether 9/11 exposure is associated with specific cancer patterns.
Breast, prostate and lung cancers among the most common
Breast and prostate cancers are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the survivor population. Their prevalence partly reflects patterns seen in the wider population.
However, some findings have raised additional questions.
According to the NYU research cited by The Washington Post, breast cancer was diagnosed in survivors approximately four years earlier than the national average in the study group. Researchers also reported a greater proportion of aggressive breast cancer cases.
Lung cancer is another major concern.
Doctors treating people exposed to the World Trade Center disaster have reported seeing lung cancer among survivors, including women who had never smoked.
That observation is important because smoking is one of the strongest known risk factors for lung cancer. The presence of lung cancer among people who have never smoked does not, by itself, prove that 9/11 exposure caused the disease. Nevertheless, unusual patterns can provide researchers with important clues for further investigation.
Dr. Raja Flores, chairman of thoracic surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has told The Washington Post that he is treating increasing numbers of 9/11 survivors with lung cancer.
He has also cautioned that the full impact of the exposure may not yet be known.
Some cancers can take decades to develop. That means researchers and doctors may continue to see new diagnoses among exposed populations for years to come.
Children exposed to the attacks also need attention
One of the least studied groups is people who were children or teenagers during the attacks.
Approximately 25,000 children reportedly lived or attended school in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. Many received their healthcare through their regular pediatricians rather than through the federal programs that have followed adults exposed to the disaster.
This has created gaps in long-term research.
The situation may now be changing.
In August 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began seeking researchers to establish a World Trade Center Youth Research Coordinating Center. The initiative is designed to improve long-term monitoring of people who were 21 or younger and lived in affected areas at the time of the attacks and afterward.
According to Reuters, the CDC expects to provide up to $50 million for the initiative, with work scheduled to begin in July 2027.
Studying this population could help scientists understand whether exposure during childhood is associated with health effects that emerge later in life.
Why long-term monitoring matters
The continuing rise in cancer diagnoses highlights why long-term health monitoring is important after a large-scale environmental disaster.
People exposed to toxic substances may not develop symptoms immediately. Some conditions can appear years or even decades later. Continued medical research can help identify patterns, improve screening recommendations and ensure that eligible survivors have access to appropriate care.
For people who believe they were exposed to the World Trade Center dust, smoke or debris, speaking with a healthcare professional about their individual risk factors may be appropriate. Eligible individuals can also learn about the World Trade Center Health Program and its available services.
Importantly, not every cancer diagnosed in a 9/11 survivor is necessarily caused by the attacks. Individual risk depends on many factors, and only qualified healthcare professionals can provide personalized medical advice.
Twenty-five years after September 11, the health consequences of the disaster are still unfolding. The growing number of cancer cases among survivors demonstrates that the legacy of the attacks extends far beyond the events of that day.
Continued research, medical monitoring and support for affected communities will remain important as another generation reaches adulthood and researchers work to understand the full consequences of the exposure.
Sources
- The Washington Post, September 9, 2026
- Reuters, September 10, 2026
- World Trade Center Health Program
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- New York University research cited in the reporting
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A cancer diagnosis can have many possible causes, and the information discussed here does not establish that an individual's cancer was caused by exposure related to the September 11 attacks. Anyone concerned about their health or potential exposure should speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Information about eligibility for government health programs may change, so readers should consult official sources for the most current requirements and services.