![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cancer-stats.png?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Over the past few years, cancer has been one of the most often discussed topics in the fire service. \u00a0 There has also been a tremendous amount of research dedicated to deciphering why we as firefighters are more likely to get cancer.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read more about the research and statistics in THE FIRE SERVICE CANCER TOOLKIT FIRE SERVICE OCCUPATIONAL CANCER ALLIANCE provided by FRCE (Click here for the PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n FIREFIGHTER CANCER- THE FACTS\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Before I talk about ways to combat it, I think it is very important to understand the facts about the numbers. \u00a0 There seems to be some very extreme statistics out on social media about the instances of cancer in the fire service. \u00a0 There have been numerous studies completed and are currently in progress,\u00a0 each having different outcomes based on the study group.\u00a0 The one study most people reference is the NIOSH study of 2010 of approximately 30,000 firefighters from Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The NIOSH study showed the following about firefighters:<\/p>\n The news isn’t very positive.\u00a0 But, as more is being discovered and more research is revealed, we are finding ways to combat and prevent it.\u00a0 Thus far, based on research, here are the top five ways firefighters can significantly decrease the chances of becoming a cancer statistic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n #1. CLEAN AND WEAR PROPER PPE ON ALL CALLS.<\/b>\u00a0 One of the glaring discoveries of the research is that wearing PPE including SCBA from the moment of entry until the completion of overhaul can greatly reduce exposure to carcinogens.\u00a0 And by wiping your skin upon exit from a fire and thoroughly and regularly cleaning your gear these exposures are decreased even more.\u00a0 Clean your neck, face, arms, and groin thoroughly after each fire. These are areas with lots of blood vessels where particulates tend to collect. It was once considered a badge of honor for a firefighter to come home with a sooty face, but we know better now. Take care to remove this threat to your health as soon as possible.\u00a0 Click here for a great training video on firefighter decon after a fire (click here).<\/a><\/p>\n #2. GET YOUR MEDICAL AND CANCER SCREENING TESTS EVERY YEAR.<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0It does not matter if you are a volunteer or a career firefighter, we are all exposed to the same stresses and carcinogens.\u00a0 Annual physicals are the best way to detect potentially life-threatening medical conditions.\u00a0 There is no guarantee that every medical issue will be identified.\u00a0 What the research is telling us is that early detection can save lives!<\/b><\/p>\n The best way to diminish the effects of any diseases, illnesses, or injuries is to detect them as early as possible. This is especially true for firefighters who, in many cases, are at greater risk for certain diseases, illnesses, and injuries than the general population. The best way to find these diseases, illnesses, and injuries early is for healthcare providers to have increased awareness and for firefighters to have annual physicals that can catch abnormalities early.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Here are some great resources to provide to your physician to help them understand the risks and tests firefighters require.\u00a0 Please print these out and take them to your next physical.<\/p>\n A firefighter’s blood work alone can provide a ton of insight into his risk for heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Research shows that almost all firefighters who suffer fatal cardiac events on duty possess one or more of the risk factors for heart disease – and two of these are identified in a typical blood panel: cholesterol and blood glucose. Markers of inflammation and cancerous growths can also be identified in the blood. And, most importantly, with annual physicals, you will be able to live longer, more fruitful lives with your family and friends.<\/p>\n Cancer Early Detection Crew Drill<\/b><\/p>\n Prevention methods improve your chance of staying healthy. Early detection improves your chance of cancer survival. \u00a0DetecTogether<\/b><\/a> is a non-profit organization that teaches you how to seize the power of early detection with the 3 Steps Detect program.\u00a0 This program is FREE and can be taken online with your crew. \u00a0 Learn the essentials of early cancer detection, click here to register and take the course.<\/a>\u00a0 The course is FREE and is only 30 minutes which would make a great afternoon drill for the crew.\u00a0 And it might just save a life!<\/p>\n #3. EAT A HEALTHY DIET.<\/b> \u00a0Cancer is a systemic disease with various causes, some of which include a poor diet, toxin exposure, nutrient deficiencies, and to some extent genetics. One extremely important way to prevent and\/or treat cancer is nutritional, by eating a nutrient-dense diet and avoiding things that are known to increase cancer risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n For many people, however,\u00a0 navigating the modern-day food system often seems overwhelming. Ingredients found in ultra-processed foods are being blamed for everything health-related, from cancer and diabetes to reduced kidney function and bone loss.\u00a0 Cancer has even been linked to how we cook certain foods.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, until food manufacturers are forced to clean up the ingredients they use in their products, it’s up to us to avoid the worst kinds and choose cancer-fighting foods. Researchers have known about the dangers associated with some unhealthy habits and cancer-causing foods for decades, while others are just now emerging as possible culprits.<\/p>\n Inflammation is the underlying issue that dictates cancerous tumor initiation, progression, and growth. Studies suggest that 30 percent to 40 percent of all kinds of cancer can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and dietary measures!\u00a0 And other sources claim that this number is in fact much higher, with around 75 percent of cancer cases being lifestyle-related.<\/p>\n What makes some foods carcinogens (cancer-causing) and others cancer-fighters? Foods that potentially contribute to cancer can include any number of chemicals, pesticides, preservatives, and additives.\u00a0 Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it might help reduce your risk.\u00a0 First responders should try to follow these guidelines:<\/p>\n Here is a great article confirming this:\u00a0 Proper Nutrition: Harvard University’s Dr. Stefanos Kales’ “Feeding America’s Bravest” and the Mediterranean Diet<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n #4. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT AND EXERCISE REGULARLY.<\/b>\u00a0 If you want to prevent disease, you must exercise! Cancer is just one of a very long list of health problems that can arise as a result of chronic inactivity. Adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic physical activity.\u00a0 Also, avoid sitting as much as possible. If you can, limit your sitting to three hours a day or less, as the mere act of standing triggers beneficial changes in your biology.<\/p>\n Due to the physical demands of firefighting, I recommend that you do a combination of moderate and vigorous exercise.\u00a0 A study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who did 1.25 hours of vigorous or 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week had a 31 percent lower risk of dying of cancer than those who didn’t work out. \u00a0 Physical activity also improves circulation, driving more oxygen into your tissues, and circulating immune cells in your blood. By improving blood flow to your liver, it also helps your body detoxify potentially harmful substances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Regular exercise also helps you stay at a healthy weight, which helps regulate hormones and helps the immune system. Being overweight or obese is a factor in an estimated 14% to 20% of cancer deaths in the US. Losing even a small amount of weight has health benefits and is a good place to start.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE to get started improving your health, losing weight, and changing your fitness culture.\u00a0 The R50 Challenge is for any firefighter!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n This 50-day Challenge is FREE and includes a workout program, motivation, eating guides, recipes, and more…<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n #5. DON’T USE TOBACCO.<\/b>\u00a0Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer – including cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix, and kidney. Chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer.\u00a0 Avoiding tobacco – or deciding to stop using it – is one of the most important health decisions you can make!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n I know that there is a lot of tobacco use in firehouses.\u00a0 My suggestion, try to organize a contest to quit.\u00a0 Firefighters love money and a challenge, so pool together some money and challenge members of your crew to stop smoking or tobacco use.\u00a0 If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting. \u00a0 Here are some great resources to help you quit.<\/p>\n Smoking Cessation – IAFF<\/a>– Resources from the International Association of Fire Fighters.<\/b><\/p>\n Put It Out: Smoking Cessation Resources for Fire\/EMS<\/a> from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cancer can strike anyone, even the healthiest of us, but as science advances toward a cure, it also offers compelling evidence of how much control we have in cancer prevention.\u00a0 We as a fire service must take care of each other and promote proper PPE and gear cleaning.\u00a0 Challenge each other to reduce tobacco use, and make sure we get our annual check-ups.\u00a0 And, most importantly we must remember that our cancer prevention starts in the gym and the kitchen and extends to our working environment (fireground, etc.).<\/p>\n Stay safe and let me know how I can help you and your crew get “fit for duty.”<\/p>\n Aaron Zamzow (ZAM)<\/p>\n Additional Resources<\/b><\/p>\n The First Responder Center for Excellence has numerous resources on cancer research and prevention. \u00a0 You can access these resources here: https:\/\/www.firstrespondercenter.org\/resources\/cancer<\/a><\/p>\n Originally launched in 2017, the goal of LION’s NOT IN OUR HOUSE initiative is to spread awareness of the cancer threat facing the fire service. NOT IN OUR HOUSE is also committed to educating firefighters on the actions they can take to reduce their exposure to cancer-causing agents. Click here for more information: https:\/\/www.lionprotects.com\/not-in-our-house<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF has created some great resources for firefighters and departments to create awareness and help prevent cancer.\u00a0 Access these resources here: https:\/\/www.iaff.org\/cancer\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Resources and research from article<\/b><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/news-events\/press-releases\/2015\/peak-longevity-physical-activity<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.who.int\/cancer\/prevention\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.menshealth.com\/health\/obesity-and-cancer<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/time.com\/4330041\/reduce-cancer-risk-exercise\/<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/cancer-is-number-one-killer-of-firefighters#8<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17172193<\/a><\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/GET-FRF-CHALLENGE-COIN-2024-1.png?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/annual-medical-resources-for-fire.png?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Every-firefighter-needs-to-take-control-of-their-own-health-care-and-ensure-their-providers-are-aware-of-the-physical-and-mental-health-stress-common-for-firefighters..png?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cancer-prevention-nutritiion-tips.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/smoking_affects_body.jpg?resize=655%2C492&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/FRF-Template-Motivational-Quotes.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/zam-signature.png?resize=205%2C117&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/frce-logo-.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n