New esophageal cancer screening test offered to Birmingham firefighters

VIDEO: When we think of dangers to firefighters, it's the flames and burning buildings that come to mind. But there are dangers you don't see like the chemicals that can lead to esophageal and other cancers. New screening methods are helping catch the cancers earlier. Firefighters are exposed to hundreds of chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and asbestos. "Everyone knows somebody going through it. We have someone on duty right now working with cancer," said Steve Cook, President Birmingham Firefighters Association. Gases, vapors and particulates get on their skin, eyes and gear. Birmingham firefighters have a high call volume, more than anywhere in the state, leading to greater exposure to hazards. Eighty firefighters were recently screened at an event in the metro area for esophageal cancer. The one minute EsoGuard test is used to find precancerous cells in the esophagus.
WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 Birmingham

Huntsville family restaurant owners devasted by kitchen fire

Flames rushed through a Huntsville restaurant Sunday afternoon, leaving its owners devastated. WAAY 31 was first on scene and spoke with the owners of Ding How II off Whitesburg Drive. Alice Salisbury's parents own the well-known Chinese restaurant. She says they are heartbroken that their family restaurant went up in smoke. "We've been here for about 30 years and they've never taken a vacation," Salisbury explained. "They were always afraid that something would happen if they weren't there and then this." She never expected this to happen and is devastated it happened when her parents finally decided to take time off. "I didn't believe it all," Salisbury continued. "We have a lot of family friends that know us over the years and they called and they were all worried. That's when it hit me. Like, 'Oh, it's happening.'"
WAAY-TV ABC 31 Huntsville