DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the increased cancer risks firefighters face and the ongoing efforts to protect their health.
This initiative sheds light on the dangers of carcinogen exposure during emergency responses and underscores the measures being taken to combat this silent threat.
For firefighters in Champaign, the month is personal. "We've had, along with Urbana Fire Department, have had a line-of-duty death due to cancer and we also have several members that have dealt with cancer," shared Eliot Harris, an engineer for the Champaign Fire Department.
Beyond firefighting, this month focuses on education for the public and policymakers. Harris emphasized the importance of funding and legislation to support cancer mitigation strategies.
Right now there is cutting-edge research happening at the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), which plays a key role in cancer research for firefighters.
Dr. Farzaneh Masoud, Director of Research at IFSI has helped create at state-of-the-art lab to analyze biological samples to identify cancer risks and develop mitigation plans to keep them safe.
The institute’s mobile lab brings advanced testing directly to firefighters, allowing Dr. Masoud and her team to conduct studies without disrupting fire fighters' demanding schedules.
"The lab is right now set for conducting, molecular biology and chemical analysis that we need to identify cancer in our firefighters," Dr. Masoud said.
Dr. Masoud and her team aim to create actionable plans that reduce cancer risks at their source.
"I think it brings hope," she added. "We are here to tell them we got your back. There is a lot we can do. And if we can identify what is the cause of the increase in cancer, then maybe we can perhaps put in the mitigation plans."
While long-term studies are underway, IFSI offers tools and training to help firefighters reduce risks now. From exposure reduction videos to cardiovascular health resources.
For more information on resources and training, click here.
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