Cancer Incidence Studies in Firefighter Populations
topic
Epidemiological studies of firefighter cancer incidence including IARC 2010 classification of firefighting as a Group 2A probable human carcinogen and subsequent large cohort studies demonstrate elevated standardised incidence ratios for specific cancer types including mesothelioma, bladder, testicular, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and prostate cancers, with cancer incidence correlated with years of firefighting service and number of fire responses that indicate dose-dependent carcinogen exposure consistent with occupational chemical exposure causation.
Role
Provides the epidemiological evidence base that has transformed cancer from an underrecognised occupational hazard to the leading firefighter mortality cause by quantifying the magnitude of elevated cancer risk from firefighting career exposure, with cancer incidence data being the primary driver for the policy changes, presumptive cancer legislation, and operational protocol reforms including mandatory gross decontamination and clothing change after fire operations that are transforming structural firefighting health and safety practice.