Respiratory diseases remain a significant health issue for firefighters and emergency responders who face increased exposure to gases, chemicals and smoke in the line of duty. Each year, over 250 local firefighters from paid and volunteer departments raise funds and participate in our Fight For Air Climb, racing the steps in full gear to raise critical awareness for occupational exposure and increased risk for lung disease in first responders. Firefighters should go through periodic lung function tests, or pulmonary function tests (PFTs), to ensure they are healthy enough to do their job safely and help identify early warning signs of lung disease.
First responders have higher rates of many cancer types, including bladder, brain, colon, leukemia, lymphoma, non-hodgkin lymphoma, lung, kidney, melanoma, multiple myeloma, prostate and testis. The longer you’re on the job, the greater your risk. Here to talk more about this today is Dr. Mary Reid, Chief of Cancer Screening, Survivorship and Mentorship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center.
To learn ways to keep your lungs protected as a Firefighter or First Responder, visit our resource page here.
To read more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center's First Responder Lung Cancer Screening program, click here.
You can also read a local article about How Firefighters can Reduce their Cancer Risk featuring Lackawanna Fire Department.
