Each and every day, firefighters are exposed to carcinogens that could potentially cause them to get ill.
Firefighters have a greater chance and risk of developing cancer. That’s why early detection is important.
On Thursday, the Springfield Fire Department participated in 1540 Connection’s early detection training, a national education and advocacy organization that teachers firefighters how to protect themselves.
“In fact, between 2002 and 2016, 61 percent of line-of-duty deaths were caused by cancer,” said Heather Maykel, the first responder lead at 1540 Connection.
Maykel told Western Mass News that cancer statistics surrounding fire fighters is alarming.
“Forty percent of Americans, unfortunately, will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, so knowing how to detect cancer early is important for everybody, but firefighters have nine percent risk beyond that,”Maykel added.