Firefighters work hard saving lives, and in process put their own lives at heightened risk from skin, kidney and other types of cancers, a new American Cancer Society (ACS) study finds.
"Although this isn't favorable news, this study shines a spotlight on the long-term risks firefighters face beyond the immediate dangers of fighting a fire," said lead author Lauren Teras, the ACS' senior scientific director of epidemiology research.
"Continued efforts to safeguard the health of firefighters by increasing access to cancer screening, early detection, and prevention are paramount," she added in a news release.
The findings were published July 29 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
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