Firefighter Skin Cancer Screening Program
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and CalDerm are partnering to keep Firefighters healthy. CalDerm is excited to partner with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation to offer a Skin Cancer Prevention Program.
What WE know.
+ Firefighters in the United States are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die of cancer compared with age-matched cohorts.
+ Melanoma has been diagnosed in Nordic and Australian firefighters at an increased rate and at an earlier age.
+ A meta-analyses and systemic reviews have shown there is an increase in the incidence and mortality from melanomas in firefighters.
+ World Trade Center 9/11 14 year followup study showed a higher incidence of melanoma.
+ Firefighters are exposed to benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other carcinogenic agents that are both inhaled and absorbed into the skin.
How WE help.
Our mission is to raise awareness about skin cancer by teaching the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and performing skin exams at no charge. Screening California firefighters provides California dermatologists the opportunity to give back to our communities by caring for those who protect and rescue the general public in times of extreme distress. With some basic administrative support from the local fire stations, California dermatologists are willing to provide the skin cancer screenings “on site” at the fire stations as well as providing educational materials supported by the SPOTme Skin Cancer Program run through the American Academy of Dermatology. In addition to the skin cancer educational materials (and free sunscreen where available), we will also provide information on the NFORS (National Fire Operations Reporting System, Exposure App: a downloadable app which serves as a personal database providing detailed history of work and exposures over the course of a career.
Want to help OR be screened? Contact us.
Informational Materials
How the Screening Works
Volunteer Training Video
Screening One-Pager
Sources:
1. Daniels, RD, Kubale TL, Yiin JH et al. Mortality and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (1950-2009). Occup Environ Med 2014; 71:388-397.
2. Pukkala et al. Cancer incidence among firefighters: 45 years of follow up in five Nordic countries. Occup Environ Me3d. 2014 Jun; 71 (6);3989-404.
3. Jalilian et al. Cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters. Int J Cancer. 2019 Nov 15:145(1): 2639-2646.
4. Laroche et al. Cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters: An overview of epidemiologic systemic reviews. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021. 18:2519.
5. Li et al. Cancer incidence in World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers: 14 years od follow up. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022 Feb 7:114(2): 210-219.
6. Lemasters et al. Cancer risk among firefighters; a review and meta-analysis of 32 studies. J Occup Environ Med. 2006 Nov;48(11): 1189-202.
7. National Firefighter Support Network. Accessed on 4/2/2022