Firefighter Cancer Prevention Efforts Increase
Firefighter cancer prevention is gaining momentum with new initiatives across the country. In Worcester, MA, a local is offering free skin cancer screenings for firefighters on March 7. Meanwhile, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center received funding for its Firefighter Cancer Initiative to expand risk-reduction education.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, has classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as "carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1). This is based on sufficient evidence linking firefighting to an increased risk of mesothelioma and bladder cancer. Studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. Cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters, accounting for 66% of such deaths between 2002 and 2019, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Firefighters are exposed to a toxic mix of carcinogens from burning materials, including asbestos, benzene, and formaldehyde. Their protective turnout gear has also been identified as a potential source of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals linked to cancer. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center's Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) is a research and outreach program driven by firefighter input. For over a decade, it has worked to identify the causes of increased cancer rates and develop prevention strategies. The FCI uses mobile clinics to bring cancer screenings and health exams directly to fire stations across South Florida. Skin cancer is a significant concern, with firefighters facing a 21% greater risk of melanoma. Early detection is critical; the survival rate for melanoma is 99% when diagnosed early but drops to 23% at stage 4. This has prompted organizations like DetecTogether in Massachusetts to partner with medical centers to offer free screenings for firefighters. In Washington state, the WSCFF Cancer Foundation provides support and resources to fire service members diagnosed with cancer. The state council also promotes a "Healthy In, Healthy Out" program to encourage safe practices from a firefighter's first day to retirement. Research efforts are ongoing to better understand and mitigate these risks. The National Firefighter Registry, established by the CDC in 2018, voluntarily tracks cancer trends among U.S. firefighters to analyze risk factors. Additionally, the University of Washington is conducting research on how to reduce exposure to carcinogens through the proper use and decontamination of personal protective equipment like gloves.
