Firefighter Cancer Initiative
Background:
- Two in every three male firefighters will contract cancer
- One in every three female firefighters will contract cancer
- One in every seventy in S. Arizona will contract melanoma skin cancer
Most common cancers and causes
Common Cancers
Cause(s)
Test(s)
Prevention
Initiative
Bladder
- Exposure to combustion products
- Tobacco
- Bladderchek (urine)
- Cystoscopy
- SCBA/PPE
- Avoid tobacco
- Hydrate
Bladderchek bladder cancer screen (urine test)
Colon
- Animal fat in diet
- Low fiber diet
- Family history
- Colonoscopy
- Hemoccult
- DNA Stool Test
Firehouse Chef Program
- Colonoscopy Everyone age 50+; younger if family history
- Firehouse chef program
Prostate
- Animal fat in diet
- Increases with age
- Family history
- PSA blood test
- Rectal exam
- Prostate Biopsy
- Diet (tomato products, selenium – brazil nuts highest)
- Sex (Australian study)
- PSA annually
- Firehouse Chef program
Skin
- Sunlight
- Fair skin, though occurs in
all races
- Observation
- Biopsy
Physical barrier
Sunscreens
- Boonie hats and other physical barriers
- Apply sun screen daily and reapply
Breast
- Animal fat in diet (controversial)
- Family history
- Breast exam
- Mammography
- Diet
- Monthly breast exam
-Instructions on breast self exam
- Firehouse chef program
Testicle
More common in males age 40 and younger
- Testicle exam
- Ultrasound
Monthly testicle self exam
Self exam instruction
Ovarian
Genetics , history of breast cancer
- Ca-125 blood test
- Pelvic exams
Pelvic exam
Pelvic Exams (PCP)
Cervix
Multiple sex partners
Pelvic exams/ PAPs
-HPV vaccine
- Monogamy
HPV vaccine (3)
Liver
- Hepatitis
- Alcohol
- Toxins
Liver function blood test
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Decrease alcohol use
- PPE
- Liver function tests annually
- Hepatitis C vaccine when available
Throat/Lung
Tobacco kills 1200 in US each day
Exam
Biopsy
Quit tobacco use
Chantix and other methods. Stop pushing tobacco onto boots/recruits
How to reduce cancer risk
Source: World Cancer Research Fund
Body fatness
Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight, BMI 21-23.
Physical activity
Be physically active, e.g. brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Foods and drinks that promote weight gain
Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. Average energy intake should be 125kcal/100g of food. Avoid sugary drinks.
Plant foods
Eat mostly foods of plant origin: fruits & non-starch vegetables at least 600g a day.
Animal foods
Limit intake of red meat, no more than 300g a week. Avoid processed meat including bacon and ham.
Alcoholic drinks
Limit alcohol drinks, two a day for men and one a day for women.
Preservation, processing and preparation
Limit consumption of salt to less than 5g a day. Avoid mouldy cereals and legumes.
Dietary supplements
Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.
Breastfeeding
Mothers to breastfeed. Children to be breastfed
Cancer survivors
Follow the recommendation for cancer prevention
