In 2018, the National Firefighter Cancer Registry Act was passed. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or “NIOSH” is working with the CDC to establish a National Firefighter Registry to track the health of firefighters. This occupational data will help to investigate the risks factors for firefighters that develop cancer and improve the monitoring of cancer among firefighters. The goal is to enroll 200,000 firefighters nationally. This data will eventually be available to the public.

In a previous NIOSH study that tracked firefighters between 2010 and 2015, showed that involved firefighters had higher rates of digestive, oral, respiratory and urinary than the general population. This study also showed that firefighters had almost twice as many cases of malignant mesothelioma, cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Firefighters under the age of 65 who developed bladder and prostate cancer were more than expected.

We hope tracking this data and eventual studies will assist in early detection and mitigation of cancers for firefighters. Research from the CDC and NIOSH is also vital to presenting our clients’ cases in court. The statistics and evidentiary evidence is here. Work comp insurers need to start paying for firefighter's’ work-related cancer treatment.