Firefighting is among the riskiest professions, and cancer is one of the biggest related medical risks. Fortunately, research is ongoing to better understand the nature of the cancer risk, new protective equipment and practices are evolving to manage the risk, and support is available for cancer survivors and families.
Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, who are at greater risk of some cancers than the public. Hazardous substances in the firefighting environment include dozens of gases, vapors, and particulates, some of the byproducts of burning. Exposure can happen through breathing, in the eyes, on the skin, or through ingestion.
Cancer-Causing contaminants
Cancers that have mostly affected firefighters are respiratory (lung, mesothelioma), gastrointestinal (oral cavity, esophageal, large intestine), and kidney. There is some question about whether current or new cleaning procedures adequately remove cancer-causing contaminants from personal protection equipment (PPE). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) researches cleaning procedures for firefighter PPE through its Fire Protection Research Foundation.
Among the origins of cancer, risks are failure to adequately clean and/or store turnout gear, which can be contaminated. Cancer prevention also requires effective training that promotes a safe culture and work practices. To provide more information about cancer risks, the National Firefighter Registry, managed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tracks the links between workplace exposures and cancer.
Cancer-Related deaths
NIOSH researchers conducted the research in 2010 with funding from the U.S. Fire Administration
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) undertook two studies and concluded that firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the U.S. general population. NIOSH researchers conducted the research in 2010 with funding from the U.S. Fire Administration. It involved 30,000 career firefighters who served in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco between 1950 and 2010. It is the largest study of U.S. firefighters ever undertaken.
Cancer caused 61% of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from January 1, 2002, to March 31, 2017. Also, 70% of the line-of-duty deaths for career firefighters were because of cancer in 2016. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) provides firefighter cancer support, awareness, and education. FCSN supports firefighters and EMS providers and their immediate families diagnosed with cancer by providing ‘badge to badge’ support, training, and guidance, according to the organization.
Supplying educational material
FCSN also seeks to educate fire and EMS members about the importance of cancer screenings and early detection. They seek to provide comfort, strength, and hope by sharing experiences with the devastating effects of cancer.
FCSN supplies educational material to fire departments, enabling them to deliver training on the effects of cancer in the fire service and steps to prevent it. One firefighter notes that contacting FCSN convinced him of the importance of having a peer to talk to, somebody with a similar diagnosis and treatment who understood what he was feeling and going through. Seven years and cancer-free, the same fireman now works through the FCSN to help new firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer.
