Firefighter Occupational Cancer Risk: Starting the Conversation

Many research studies have concluded over the past 10-15 years that firefighters seem to have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. Specifically prostate, bladder, gastro-intestinal and skin and lung cancer. The increased cancer risk has been associated with toxic chemical and vapor exposure in the line of duty. In response to the results of this research, recommendations have been made by many of the firefighter support organizations outlining many self-care health behavior practices that firefighters can take to help reduce their risk. Some of the traditional and new firefighters have been slow to adopt the recommended health promotion behaviors. For years the occupation of firefighting has been based proudly on sacrifice, heroism and tradition. The dirty uniform that is now considered to be covered with carcinogenic chemicals increasing firefighter cancer risk was considered a badge of honor. The less experienced firefighter traditionally learned their behaviors from the seasoned firefighter and avoided bringing attention to their new firefighter status by conforming to the practices of the seasoned firefighter. Fire department practices and policies vary state by state due to many variables such as leadership, funding and varied employee status making it difficult to have consistent practices between departments let alone state by state. Many variable have caused limitation in the research of cancer incidence if firefighters. Some firefighters hold two jobs, some firefighters smoke, fire departments vary in the number and type of fire calls they receive, and time spent at fires. Many studies have identified that certain variables such as firefighter age, fire exposure times and run times can increase firefighter cancer incidence compared to others within the firefighter community. The one thing that researchers are confident about even given all the variables and limitations is that firefighters are at an increased risk of developing cancer when compared with the general population. Given this information the importance of cancer awareness and screening for the firefighter should be of up most priority. Firefighting will always come with risks but firefighters have the ability to take action beyond their precarious work environment by advocating for their health and working closely with their healthcare provider to ensure appropriate screening measures are done in a timely manner. Using the Health Promotion Model Framework adopting positive health behaviors is more likely to happen if the firefighter perceives cancer as a health risk. The leader of this study has created a pre and post survey tool that addresses specific variables and demographics related to firefighter occupational cancer risk. Each participant will fill out a pre- survey, listen to the educational intervention, then fill out the post-survey. A paired t-test will be run using SPSS to assess the means between the pre and post-test. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if an educational intervention will increase the firefighters knowledge of their cancer risk and promote firefighters to have a conversation with their healthcare provider in regards to their cancer cancer risk. The ultimate goal for this pilot study is to promote earlier detection of cancer at the earliest stage possible. Over time, if the intervention is successful at fostering a relationship between the firefighter and their health care provider there is the possibility that the earlier cancer detection in firefighters will lead to decreased mortality rate from cancer in the firefighter population.