January dedicated as firefighter cancer awareness month

ORLANDO, Fla. — Occupational cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters, surpassing heart disease.

January is now being dedicated as firefighter cancer awareness month.

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The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) are partnering up to deliver targeted education and best practices and resources to reduce the impact of cancer on firefighters.

The campaign will include factsheets, podcasts, survivor stories and training briefs, as well as online resources, such as daily training information and infographics that promote the program.

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“Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for more than 65 percent of the line-of-duty deaths added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall of Honor each year,” saID IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “We must educate ourselves and do everything we can to prevent occupational cancer. Together, the IAFF and the FCSN are dedicated to do whatever it takes to keep firefighters healthy on and off the job.”

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“As we continue to learn more about the link between firefighting and cancer, it is more important than ever that we take steps to minimize the risk firefighters face every single day,” said FCSN CEO Bryan Frieders. “The science around firefighter exposures is constantly changing but with continued research we learn more and more and are better equipped to introduce prevention practices to reduce our risk of developing occupational cancer.”

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