VIDEO: Because of their jobs, firefighters have a much higher risk of developing skin cancer, according to Dr. Steven Wang. That's why he's offering free screenings to current and retired firefighters during Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
Retired Orange County Fire Captain Jeffrey Johnson said his appointment to check his skin at Hoag Irvine is long overdue.
"Over 25 years, I know that can take its toll," he said.
The debris that firefighters encounter during their days can make them more susceptible to the disease, according to Wang, the head of Hoag's Dermatological Oncology department.
"After fighting the fires, they have the residuals that sort of attach to the skin," he said. "Those chemicals can be absorbed into the skin ... If they [are not] washed off and the sun hits those same areas, they create a reaction and they would lead them to develop skin cancer down the road."