Cancer prevention
Greetings MN Firefighters! It’s early March as I write this, winter still has its firm grip on us. But daylight is getting longer and spring and many warm weather activities will be here soon. My article this month has a heavier subject than past ones. It’s about cancer and firefighting, which has affected so many departments large and small.
I recently attended the Firefighter Cancer Symposium in Miami, FL, courtesy of MnFIRE. It was hosted by the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center which is part of the University of Miami Health System. It was a day and a half of the latest updates from doctors, researchers and others much smarter than me about firefighter cancer and health and wellness.
We were given the latest recommendations on cancer prevention, detection, personal nutrition, fitness, sleep and the like. Results of studies were discussed. Words and phrases I haven’t heard yet were thrown around- epigenetics, chrononutrition, oxidative stress. Chemicals classified as PFAS, which have been used in firefighting foam and to help turnout gear resist water were mentioned. We learned there are over 9,000 different PFAS but only the effects of 8 or 9 are being studied so far. There were many presentations including firefighter mental health, how different states interpret work comp, and on the vision, mission and early success of our own MnFIRE Initiative- the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.
There are some alarming statistics- Melanoma skin cancer is usually seen in the general population around the age of 65, although it’s not uncommon to see it diagnosed in firefighters in their 40s. A study out of the state of Washington is showing children of firefighters are 27 times more likely to develop some form of cancer. Seventy percent of firefighters are overweight or obese. West Palm Beach FD lost 32 firefighters so far to cancer. A replica of a fire scene accountability board was passed around. On it were the names and rank of all 32 firefighters. It was sobering reading each name and realizing that 32 families from just one department were devastated by occupational cancer.
One presentation I really enjoyed was the one given by Sara Jahnke, PhD. She is the director and a senior scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue, EMS Health Research at the National Development & Research Institute. She has over a decade of research experience on firefighter health. She spoke on her top eight tips for improving firefighter health. The following is a compilation based on her presentation and my own research.
1. No tobacco- this also includes smokeless.
2. Prioritize sleep- sleep is critical for your body to recover and repair itself from daily life, 7-8 hours each day is ideal.
3. Connect- this is about behavioral health- it’s not healthy keeping everything bottled inside. Talk with your peers, talk with your spouse or significant other, call the MnFIRE phone line if you or someone you love is struggling -888-784-6634.
4. Eat things you recognize- If you are reading a food label and can’t pronounce an ingredient or know what it is, it probably isn’t good for you!
5. Move more and better- so many Americans carry excess pounds, including firefighters as I mentioned earlier. Think about a firefighter’s essential job functions. The reality is conducting search and rescue activities in a smoky environment has the equivalent oxygen consumption as a professional football player. Firefighters should strive to be as fit as pro athletes. The sad statistic is that cardiac events are the #1 cause of firefighter LODD’s. Being more can also help your body fight off cancer.
6. Rethink the way you drink- the American Cancer Society is now recommending no alcohol consumption. I don’t envision the fire service giving up alcohol. I enjoy a beer or two or a cocktail occasionally and plan to continue! A couple presenters stated that more than 3.5 drinks at a sitting is excessive. It was stated that many firefighters show up at a fire scene already dehydrated. Imagine the level of dehydration a firefighter could experience on a sunny, humid 95 degree July afternoon at a house or barn fire. He or she is in full turnouts and has gone through one tank of air before getting a break. Dehydration can lead to heat injuries, kidney or other urinary issues, seizures as your electrolytes get out of whack or hypovolemic shock. Drink your water before feeling thirsty!
7. Use the power of peer pressure- we need to continue working at changing the fire service culture in several regards. There’s power in numbers.
8. Breathe- take a break, take a step back, take that vacation, meditate, pray, recharge yourself mentally. Chronic stress can be a killer.
One statement made in Miami really struck me- firefighters do a great job at prioritizing truck and equipment maintenance but not such a great job at prioritizing the health of the most important department asset- themselves.
I’d like to thank MnFIRE for providing me the opportunity to attend the Firefighter Cancer Symposium. It is a great reminder of the importance and value of good health and the work necessary to keep it. We may not have control with a lot going on in our lives but personal fitness and health is one element that we are able to by focusing on lifestyle choices.
The 144th Annual MSFDA Conference & Fire School will be held in Willmar on April 22nd & 23rd. Be sure to attend. We have a great line-up of training. There’s also the membership meeting, elections, networking, awards banquet and great entertainment we have for that Saturday evening. I am so looking forward to it as we haven’t been able to host the conference the past two years.
Enjoy the warmer weather and see you in Willmar!
Dave Yurczyk,
MSFDA President