Firefighter Cancer Initiative Fundamentals
At the Firefighter Cancer Initiative, our research focuses on preventing and reducing cancer risk in the fire service. With the 2022 International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) classification of firefighting as a carcinogenic line of work, we remain committed to finding real-world solutions for ending the firefighter cancer epidemic.
Those solutions must be backed by research. Our search for solutions has taken us from studies on PFAS and off-gassing effects to EV fires and the challenge of shift work. Our main interests fall into these six categories:
- Epidemiology and Cancer Registry: We link firefighters to cancer risk through epidemiologic sampling.
- Environmental Exposure Sampling: We visit fire stations in different conditions to capture exposures.
- Cancer Screening, Education, and Survivorship: We educate firefighters and the medical community on screenings and help survivors in their diagnosis and beyond.
- Occupational Environmental Carcinogen Biomonitoring: We determine what happens to the body when exposed to carcinogens and how cancer risk increases.
- CARES To Go Prevention and Wellness Clinic: We focus on adapting, innovating, and personalizing clinical care for firefighters and first responders.
- Leadership: We conduct monthly seminars and educational opportunities for our community near and far.
Curious to learn more about our work? Take a look at our research projects, publications, and more below.