Cancer Awareness

Cancer top cause of firefighter fatal workplace claims, study finds

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The University of the Fraser Valley study found cancer made up 86% of fatal claims

Rafferty Baker · CBC News · Posted: Mar 29, 2018 6:02 PM PDT | Last Updated: March 29, 2018

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Cancer is a leading cause of death among Canadian firefighters, according to a University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) study, which draws on a decade of data from worker compensation boards. The study, titled Determinants of Injury and Death in Canadian Firefighters: A Case for a National Firefighter Wellness Surveillance System, found that 86 per cent of all firefighter workplace fatality claims were blamed on cancer, and firefighters are killed by cancer at a rate about three times higher than the general population. "Now we're talking about between 50 and 60 firefighters that are dying [from cancer] annually across Canada associated with their profession, and that's very concerning," said Len Garis, Surrey's fire chief and an adjunct professor at UFV who co-authored the study. Garis said cancer rates among firefighters increase dramatically with age, with the 35-to-39-year-old group accounting for only one per cent of workplace fatal cancer claims among firefighters. The 60-to-64-year-old group accounts for 17 per cent of the fatal cancer claims, while the 65 and older group makes up nearly half of the claims.

 

Earlier screening for firefighters

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According to Garis, that steep rise in cancer deaths associated with age and how long people work in the profession means firefighters should begin cancer screening earlier than normal when they're about 35 years old. "It may not prevent them from contracting cancer, but certainly it should reduce the number that are dying from it and that's our goal in this research," said Garis.

 

Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis says cancer shows up later in firefighters' careers and often cuts short life after retirement. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

The Surrey fire chief said although crews take precautions with protective gear and breathing apparatus, each fire they attend is another exposure that contributes to the risk of cancer, with household items made from hydrocarbon or polymer-type materials becoming carcinogenic when they burn.

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"We know that the carcinogens can be absorbed through the skin — they can swallow it, in terms of their perspiration," said Garis.

"Firefighters often complain about smelling like smoke for several days afterwards, after the smoke is exhausting from their body or emanating from their bodies."