Firefighter Cancer Fact Check

‍

Although cancer is the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, firefighters are not 68% more likely to develop cancer than the general population. Accurate data is crucial when quantifying occupational cancer's toll on and threat to firefighters and their families.

Recently, a number of well-intended journalists, legislators, manufacturers, and others have cited inaccurate firefighter cancer statistics, including the following erroneous examples:

• The risk of cancer in firefighters is 250% greater than in people not in our line of work.
• Researchers found that more than 2/3rds of firefighters (68%) develop cancer, compared to about 22% for the general population.
• Firefighters have a 68% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the general population.
• Research shows 68% of firefighters will come down with cancer on average.
• More than two-thirds of firefighters are diagnosed with cancer.
• 63% of all firefighters will get cancer.
• Researchers found that firefighters are twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer.
• Firefighters are 50% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the U.S. population.
• A firefighter has a 29% higher risk of contracting cancer than the rest of our population.

The proliferation of inaccurate statistics concerns Robert D. Daniels, Ph.D., CHP. In 2010, Daniels led the most extensive cancer study of U.S. firefighters for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Some sources cite that study as reporting a two-fold excess of cancer among firefighters, then say that 2/3rds of firefighters are diagnosed with cancer, according to Daniels. Neither statement is correct.

Here are the facts:

According to the NIOSH study results, firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. The cancers primarily responsible for this higher risk were respiratory (lung, mesothelioma), GI (oral cavity, esophageal, large intestine), and kidney. It is important to note that firefighters' risks are significantly higher for some specific types of cancer. 

For example, the NIOSH researchers reported a two-fold excess of malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer. Firefighters have a 100% increased risk (100% = double = 2 times) of getting mesothelioma. Firefighters have a 129% increased risk of dying from mesothelioma. Firefighters have a 62% higher risk of getting esophageal cancer, and they have a 39% increased risk of dying from esophageal cancer, according to NIOSH research. The earlier LeMasters meta-analysis also reported a two-fold excess for testicular cancer.

Here's an overview with some specific additional risks for firefighters noted:

• Testicular cancer: 2.02 times the risk (again: 100% = double = 2 times)
• Mesothelioma: 2 times greater risk
• Multiple myeloma: 1.53 times greater risk
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma: 1.51 times greater risk
• Skin cancer: 1.39 times greater risk
• Malignant melanoma: 1.31 times greater risk
• Brain cancer: 1.31 times greater risk
• Prostate cancer: 1.28 times greater risk
• Colon cancer: 1.21 times greater risk
• Leukemia: 1.14 times greater risk

And some fire departments are addressing occupational-cancer rates that are definitely higher than national averages. FCSN instructors cite insurer statistics for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue which show that 32% (nearly 1/3) of MDFR's active members were diagnosed with cancer or receiving cancer treatment between 2008-2010.

So the bottom line is this: Firefighters do have higher cancer risks than the general population, and their risks are significantly higher for some specific types of cancer.

We encourage journalists, legislators, and others who address occupational cancer to contact the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network for accurate information and vital context about cancer in the fire service or to visit the FCSN's website firefightercancersupport.org.

In the meantime, if you see inaccurate claims, please politely share these correct statistics and suggest a revision.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.

‍The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) helps firefighters and their families cope with cancer. Since 2005, the nonprofit FCSN has provided assistance and one-on-one mentoring to thousands of cancer-stricken firefighters and their families. FCSN also delivers extensive firefighter cancer awareness and prevention training nationwide. The vision of the FCSN is to be the global leader in firefighter cancer support, awareness and education. The mission of the FCSN is to assist firefighters and EMS providers and their immediate families diagnosed with cancer by providing badge to badge support, training and guidance. Visit https://firefightercancersupport.org/ for more information or to donate to the FCSN.