If you’re a firefighter and spend any time on the Internet, you likely have seen statistics related to firefighter occupational cancer. The numbers are alarming.
As a firefighter, you have a significantly greater chance than the average person of developing lung cancer, melanoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer, along with cancers of the prostate, rectum, stomach, bladder and kidneys. (These results can be found in reports published by the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.)
The good news is there are things you can do to reduce your risk, simple things such as the following:
- Wearing your breathing apparatus and mask even through overhaul
- Cleaning your flash-hood
- Keeping your helmet clean
- Developing a standard operating guideline for decontamination procedures on the fire-ground
- Washing your gear once exposed to the elements of a fire
- Keeping the inside of your apparatus clean
- Not carrying your dirty turn-out gear in your car
- Not allowing turn-out gear in the living areas of the fire station
- Limiting your exposure to diesel exhaust
- Not letting vehicles idle in the apparatus bay
- Showering as soon as possible when returning from a fire
These are just a few things you can do now.
An annual physical with a cancer screening is also important, and if you’re a volunteer firefighter, make sure your doctor is aware of that. Often times your doctor has no idea what your exposures are because they do not know you volunteer. Early diagnosis goes a long way in treating cancer.
So what do you do if you’re a firefighter and diagnosed with cancer? Obviously, you should listen to the doctor and begin the necessary treatment. Many states now have cancer presumption laws that could be beneficial to you and your family. If they exist in your state, get the help you need to file the claim.
The rise in occupational cancer among firefighters is one reason why Provident has Critical Illness Insurance. With this plan, firefighters are covered for certain occupational and non-occupational related invasive cancers, heart attacks, kidney failures, and strokes. Email us at info@providentins.com or call (855) 201-8880 to learn more.
-Ed Mann, September 2021
This article was written by Chief Ed Mann, Provident’s Director of Training & Education, who served for nearly 15 years as the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner.