December 5, 2024 7 min read
The Importance of Firefighter Cancer Awareness, Prevention, and Early Detection On and Off the Fireground
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Firefighting is an inherently hazardous profession, but the risks extend beyond smoke and flames at the scene. The rising awareness of cancer as an occupational hazard for firefighters has galvanized the fire service community to focus on prevention, mitigation, and support.
From understanding the dangers of prolonged chemical exposure to the necessity of proper PPE care and the importance of advanced health screenings, fire leaders must take action to safeguard their crews and reduce cancer risks.
January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, but addressing its impact and prioritizing mitigation measures requires a lifelong commitment. Let’s explore the latest findings and the steps your department can take to help combat firefighter cancer.
Exploring the Latest Research on Firefighters and Cancer
Several studies highlight the significantly elevated risk firefighters face for developing various cancers, including prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
The multi-year study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in 2010 included nearly 30,000 career firefighters and brought substantial attention to the topic. Their findings indicated that firefighters face a 9% higher rate of cancer diagnoses and a 14% higher rate of cancer-related deaths than the general population.
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network’s (FCSN) review of several studies and research reveals the alarming increase of specific cancers that firefighters experience higher rates of, including a 1.53 times greater risk for developing multiple myeloma and a 1.51 times greater risk for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Prolonged exposure to harmful substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a key contributor. Research also indicates that these exposures may cause epigenetic changes, which not only heighten cancer risks but could affect the DNA of future generations.
Recent research, including a study by Goodrich et al. (2021) explored how PFAS exposure impacts epigenetic aging and DNA methylation. A 2024 study at the University of Arizona suggests that epigenic modifications were different in experienced firefighters compared to new firefighters in regions linked to prostate cancer.
Contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) and inadequate decontamination practices further exacerbate these risks. While advancements in decontamination procedures have reduced exposure, they don’t eliminate it entirely.
Chief Todd LeDuc, Deputy CEO of Life Scan Wellness Centers and Fire Chief (ret.), remarked on the impact of evolving research, “There’s probably been more research done on firefighter cancer in the last decade than in the last two centuries. That science is helping us get to a cure. I don’t think we’re quite there yet, but we’re close.”
Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Best Practices On and Off the Fireground
Implementing best practices for prevention and early detection, both on and off the fireground, is critical to reducing firefighters’ cancer and safeguarding their health. By combining education, proper equipment care, health monitoring, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices, fire departments can take meaningful steps to protect their teams and improve long-term outcomes.
Provide Cancer Education and Training
Comprehensive training programs equip firefighters with the vital knowledge they need about the heightened cancer risks associated with their profession.
Meaningful firefighter-cancer related training and resources:
- Emphasize how exposures on the fireground contribute to long-term health issues
- Foster proactive behavior change
- Encourages a culture shift toward prioritizing health and wellness throughout a firefighter’s career
- Strengthens member confidence that their department is investing in their long-term health
Topics should review common cancers affecting firefighters, sources of carcinogenic exposure, hygiene and safety protocols, new research and treatments, and proper use and decontamination of PPE.
Vector Solutions features relevant online training covering NFPA 1851 – Cancer Related Risks of Firefighting, Fire Service Health and Safety, and other critical topics available on its fully loaded, user-friendly, and purpose-built LMS and training management system for fire departments, TargetSolutions.
Leverage the pre-loaded National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer activity in TargetSolutions to simplify sharing critical cancer prevention information and encourage NFR participation.
Emphasize Proper PPE Handling
Proper use, care, and decontamination of PPE is essential to minimizing exposure to carcinogens during and after fireground operations.
Regular cleaning and maintenance routines reduce the risk of contaminants lingering on gear and being absorbed or inhaled. Emphasizing these practices helps ensure firefighter safety is maintained both on a call and at the station while minimizing contaminants brought home. Watch The Invisible Danger of Bunker Gear Transfer for a powerful example of how harmful substances are easily spread.
“Once we come out of the fire, there’s a clock that starts ticking. All the stuff that’s on our skin is getting immediately absorbed into the circulatory system, into the lymph node system. So, the longer we take to decontaminate, the greater the damage,” Chief LeDuc emphasized.
Vector Check It provides fire departments with flexible, detailed PPE management for comprehensive tracking of every piece of PPE through its entire lifecycle, from acquisition through cleanings, maintenance, and disposal. Centralize all your apparatus checks, equipment and PPE inspections, and all asset management in one place on the web or with the dedicated mobile app.
Encourage Health Monitoring & Early Detection
Comprehensive health monitoring programs enable firefighters to track exposures and identify potential health issues early.
Routine physicals developed for public safety professionals, cardiopulmonary and fitness exams, and regular advanced screenings, including ultrasound imaging, like those offered by Life Scan Wellness Centers help identify health issues early and provide personalized wellness plans.
Chief LeDuc shared, “We at Life Scan use ultrasound imaging as a significant tool for early detection. The beauty of ultrasound is there’s no radiation, and you can basically look inside the body and have a virtual visual stethoscope, so we can see that someone’s got a mass on their right kidney that’s not supposed to be there. And then the question just becomes, is that malignant or is it benign.”
Fire leaders can simplify tracking harmful exposures, including carcinogenic substances as well as traumatic incidents and other critical events, and trigger alerts for health screenings or other timely follow ups once custom thresholds are met with Guardian Tracking.
Manage Modifiable Lifestyle Factors
While firefighting inherently carries occupational risks, certain lifestyle factors off the fireground can affect long-term health outcomes and cancer risks. By adopting healthier habits, firefighters can build resilience against cancer and other chronic diseases, complementing department-wide prevention efforts.
Consider incorporating lifestyle best practices that encourage a holistic approach to life-long wellness, such as:
- Reducing excessive alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active
- Using sunscreen to limit UV exposure
- Promoting balanced, nutritious diets
“If you take the fire exposure out of the equation, we still know that 40% of the American population is going to get cancer at some point.” Chief LeDuc continued, “So, I always talk about on the fire ground risk reduction and then lifestyle factors off the fire ground, because I think both for them go hand in hand.”
Addressing these factors empowers individuals to take proactive control over their personal health, reinforcing the overall culture of safety within the fire service.
Building a Safer Future for Firefighters
Combating occupational cancer demands a united effort from fire leaders, researchers, and firefighters themselves.
By adopting robust cancer prevention measures on and off the fireground and leveraging cutting-edge tools like those provided by Vector Solutions, fire departments can protect their teams for the long term.
Request a demo to learn more about how Vector Solutions can help your department deploy a strategic program to address firefighter cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection.
