Free cancer screening test for firefighters at Midtown Wellness Center

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — As firefighters face occupational risks while fighting fires, they are also victims of various types of cancer. To combat this problem, Rescue Me Wellness, the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation (GTFF) and GRAIL have teamed up to offer free cancer screenings for firefighters.

Research from the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety shows that firefighters are 14% more likely to die from cancer than the general U.S. population.

Greg Hoffman, deputy chief of the Tucson Fire Department, tells me they are frequently exposed to various carcinogens.

“Cancer is very common in the fire service. “It’s something that anyone who works in the fire department is nervous about throughout their career,” Deputy Chief Hoffman said.

Over time, exposure can cause various types of cancer such as kidney, lung or esophageal cancer.

“Will we catch something early if we get it?” “This goes a long way toward enabling early detection and treatment when needed,” said Deputy Chief Hoffman.

The screening tests are performed at Rescue Me Wellness. Owner Lisa Ritter says she is grateful to be part of the mission to improve the health of firefighters.

“Because they do this job, their risk of cancer is much higher than that of the general public,” Ritter said. “So it’s like a gift to be able to offer them this test for free, funded by the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation.”

GTFF Chairman Mike McKendrick says they funded the screening tests for firefighters.

“Cancer is an insidious disease,” McKendrick said. “Firefighters and their families are suffering.”

The Galleri test uses a simple blood draw to examine 51 types of cancer that firefighters are most susceptible to.

“This is something that fire departments and various fire departments should take up to provide for their firefighters,” McKendrink said.

Just over 50 firefighters were screened today.

“It keeps the firefighters on the truck, keeps them healthy and prevents them from getting cancer at higher rates. You know, it captures it at the DNA level,” McKendrick said.

Testing runs through Sunday, October 13th at Rescue Me Wellness, 4601 E. 5th St. More details about the GTFF can be found here.