In 2010, NIOSH set out to conduct a comprehensive multi-year study which included over 30,000 fire fighters from the Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco Fire Departments employed between 1950 and 20120. The researchers considered a multitude of factors as they set out to examine if fire fighters have an increased risk of developing cancer as a result of job related exposures. The study found that firefighters did in fact have greater risk of cancer diagnosis and death, especially with cancers relating to the respiratory, digestive and genitourinary systems. View the findings here. A comprehensive review of study documents and timelines can be viewed here.
NIOSH Study of Cancer among U.S. Fire Fighters
NIOSH Findings from a Study of Cancer among U.S. Fire Fighters