NewsTalk: Volunteer Firefighters Vs. Cancer, Better Benefits Proposed

WHITESBORO – The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is taking on cancer. Thursday, state lawmakers met with volunteer firefighters at the Whitesboro Fire Department to talk about better benefit coverage that is being proposed. State Senator Joseph Griffo and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi are urging the State Legislature to pass bills that would amend the “Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law” to include more forms of cancer with known links to fighting fires. The new legislation would expand cancer coverage for New York’s 92,000 volunteer firefighters.

According to FASNY, here are some key facts:

1. Firefighters are 102% more likely to develop testicular cancer than the general population.
2. Firefighters are 53% more likely to develop multiple myeloma than the general population.
3. Firefighters are 62% more likely to develop cancer of the oesophagus than the general population.
4. Firefighters are 21% more likely to develop intestinal cancer than the general population.
5. Firefighters are 26% more likely to develop breast cancer than the general population

More and more firefighters are being diagnosed with cancer, according to FASNY. This is due to the high levels of carcinogens and other toxins found in burning buildings and other hazardous environments that firefighters routinely work in. FASNY has produced a video that highlights the stories of six cancer survivors from across the state. All six were seemingly healthy, with no notable health issues to speak of, when they received their respective cancer diagnoses.

The full video can be viewed at fasny.com/fightcancer