Research Related to Firefighter Cancer ⋆ First Responder Center for Excellence

Finding out you, or someone you love, has cancer can be devastating. Receiving this diagnosis can release ever changing waves of emotion including fear, anger, depression, or hopelessness. This is normal and you are not alone. The good news is there are a wide variety of resources all developed to support you from the moment of diagnosis all the way through each phase of treatment.

Firefighter Cancer Support Network

FCSN provides assistance to fire/EMS personnel and their family members who have been diagnosed with cancer. They provide rapid post-diagnosis resources followed by one-on-one support from fellow firefighters and they will send you a FCSN signature toolbox free of charge. FCSN’s toolbox contains critical resources to help you plan, communicate, and take action with your doctors, your loved ones, and your brothers and sisters in the fire service. FCSN has more than 120 fire service mentors with personal experience facing many types of cancer. FCSN mentors can provide newly diagnosed fire/EMS members with valuable information about a particular type of cancer, share their own experiences with testing and treatments, and offer valuable insight into the recovery process.

Visit the FCSN

IAFF Cancer Registry

Cancer is a disease that is of particular concern for members of the fire service. A number of previous studies have identified several cancers for which firefighters are at increased risk. To help further characterize this increased risk the IAFF, in response to members’ requests, has developed a Cancer Registry. IAFF members or a family member can use this website to report a cancer diagnosis. In addition to reporting the cancer, members are being asked to complete the Wellness Fitness Initiative questions which will provide necessary information for the Cancer Registry as well as for the WFI efforts.

Visit the IAFF Cancer Registry