A new study presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) suggests that firefighters may be at an increased risk of developing transitional cell carcinoma (TCC, or bladder cancer) and should be considered for routine
annual screening. Currently, no guidelines exist for regular TCC screening.

It is well known that prolonged exposure to certain environmental pollutants and chemicals puts humans at a major risk for developing bladder cancer. As the body absorbs carcinogenic chemicals, such as cigarette smoke, the chemicals are transferred to the blood, filtered out by the kidneys and expelled from the body through the urine. Greater concentrations of chemicals in the urine can damage the endothelial lining of the bladder and increase a patient's odds of developing transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).
Firefighters, who are regularly exposed to smoke and chemical fumes, may be at a higher risk for developing the disease than other groups.

The age and sex-adjusted incidence for TCC in firefighters is 36 per 100,000. These findings represent a higher incidence, suggesting that firefighters may be a high-risk group.

There are currently tests that can be used during annual physicals for firefighters such as Matritech, Inc. (http://www.matritech.com/) that are cost effective and fast. This is an excellent topic for Labor and Management to work together on.

At the bottom of the page is a picture of the device. It is a qualitative test and the only one approved by the FDA for the point of care screening of "at risk" groups for bladder cancer. It is also CLIA waved. The adjacent picture is the kit needed for the 'send out" for the quantitative test.

For more information, below is the citation for the study:

Greene KL, Konety BR, Stoller ML: Results from the San Francisco Firefighters Bladder Cancer Screening Study. J Urol, suppl., 2008; 179: 323, abstract 937.

Contributors:

Norm Rooker – Chief, Ouray County EMS, CO
retired member SFFD

Robert Schlesinger, MD, FACS

West Sand Lake, FD, NY

Ed Nied

Deputy Chief

Tucson Fire Department

SHS Board of Directors

Mike Dubron

President, Firefighter Cancer Support Network