Week 2: Research Scientific Research Related to Occupational Cancer
Week 2: Scientific Research Related to Occupational Cancer
With an understanding of cancer in the fire service, use this week to explore scientific research that identifies the link between occupational exposures and cancer rates among fire fighters. Additionally, this week looks at research on screening for cancer and exposure routes.
To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week to conduct a Safety Stand Down. All resources are also available to review at your convenience.
Week 2: Scientific Research Related to Occupational Cancer
With an understanding of cancer in the fire service, use this week to explore scientific research that identifies the link between occupational exposures and cancer rates among fire fighters. Additionally, this week looks at research on screening for cancer and exposure routes.
To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week to conduct a Safety Stand Down. All resources are also available to review at your convenience.
- Personal Story: (New) Goodyear Firefighter Austin Peck’s story on his personal diagnoses and cancer journey at age 35. LODD 2019. Austin Pecks Story
- Video: (New) Cancer in the Boston Fire Department (3:38 runtime)
- Research Studies: Cancer Risk Among Firefighters: Review and Metanalysis of 32 Studies by Dr. Grace LeMasters. The results of this research confirm previous findings of an elevated risk for multiple myeloma among fire fighters. In addition, a probable association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, prostate and testicular cancer was demonstrated.
- WHO classifies diesel exhaust as a group one carcinogen: Diesel Exhaust is classified as a known group 1 carcinogen. Diesel Exhaust Classified as group one carcinogen
- Educational Presentation #2: (Updated for 2023)
This is a 37–slide PowerPoint presentation reviewing the results from four key fire fighter cancer research projects.
- Female firefighter’s cancer presentation: (New)
- This is a 64-slide PowerPoint presentation regarding the occupational cancer issue with female firefighters.
- Female Firefighter Education Module
Note: Make sure you view the presentation in “Presenter Mode” to capture the instructor notes for the slides.
- Survivor Stories: (New)
- Leadership/Survivor Article: (New)
- Cancer Survivor Steve Weissman discusses leadership with the occupational cancer problem in the fire service Firefighter Nation Article: Steve Weissman Leadership Cancer Article NFORS IAFF Webpage
- NFORS Tracker App: (New)
- Nfors Mobile: Following fire activities, exposure reporting is necessary to document exposures that can lead to occupational diseases and cancer. The National Fire Operations Reporting System (NFORS) Exposure Tracker is available as an app for fire fighters, paramedics or officers to log exposure and incident details in a private, encrypted and secure online environment. The information gathered will help researchers better understand toxic exposures on the fire scene and develop new treatments and prevention protocols for occupational diseases, including cancer. Download the NFORS Exposure Tracker App by going to the app store on your mobile device.
- Factsheets:
- The importance of exposure reporting
Podcast 2: PFAS Concerns (New)
Jason Burns (Fall River, MA Local 1314) and IAFF Chief Science Advisor, Derek Urwin (Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014) discuss Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – a class of toxic chemicals fire fighters are exposed to. They highlight the concerns for fire fighters and the impact this has on departments.
