Cancer Screenings

Early detection saves firefighters' lives.

Cancer is the leading cause of occupational death among firefighters, likely due to the many carcinogenic exposures associated with the job. In 2024, around 75% of the line-of-duty deaths among IAFF members were attributed to occupational cancer. The good news: many of these cancers are far more survivable when caught early. That's what screening is for.

Why firefighters need to screen

Every fire is a chemical exposure. Modern homes and buildings contain synthetic and plastic materials that release carcinogens when they burn, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of more than 100 chemicals. Firefighters aren't exposed to a single hazard but to many at once, through multiple routes, which is why their cancer risk runs higher than the general population's and why certain cancers among firefighters occur at a younger age and with higher mortality rates.

Because the risk starts earlier and moves faster, the standard "wait until you're older" screening timelines often aren't enough for the fire service.

What is a cancer screening?

A cancer screening is a test or exam used to look for cancer before you have any symptoms. The goal is to find something small and treatable rather than waiting until it announces itself, when options are fewer and outcomes are worse.

Screening is different from a diagnostic test. Screening is routine and preventive. A diagnostic test happens after something shows up. This page is about the routine, preventive side, the kind every firefighter should be building into their year.

Screenings commonly recommended for firefighters

The right screenings for you depend on your age, years of service, family history, and your own physician's judgment. The items below reflect areas of elevated risk for the fire service. Use this as a conversation starter with your doctor, not a substitute for one.

Annual physical exam. The foundation of early detection. The physical exam is a critical tool for catching warning signs or symptoms of cancer. Make sure your provider knows you're a firefighter.

Skin. Firefighters have elevated risk for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Annual skin exams are recommended.

Lung. Low-dose CT scans are used for at-risk firefighters. Talk with your doctor about whether your exposure history qualifies you.

Plus the standard adult screenings for colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, often started earlier or run more often for firefighters than for the general public, based on your physician's guidance.

Know the guidelines

Two resources set the standard for firefighter cancer screening. We point firefighters and departments to both:

The IAFF Cancer Screening Guide (2025). An evidence-based resource aligned with NFPA 1582, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the American Cancer Society. One important note for anyone considering the newer commercial blood tests: the IAFF does not yet recommend commercial multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, because they remain investigational, are not FDA-approved for general use, and lack validation for routine screening. Commercial diagnostic options may be considered as supplements, not replacements, for proven screening.

NFPA 1582. The Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, the backbone of department-level medical and screening programs. Ask your chief what's available to you.

Track your exposures

Early detection isn't only about tests. The IAFF recommends that firefighters keep a personal record tracking their exposures and incident responses. That record matters for your health, and it can matter later for presumptive cancer and workers' comp claims. Start one now if you haven't.

You don't fight this alone

A screening can change a life. So can what comes after one. If you or someone in your crew is facing a diagnosis, Firefighter 48 is here, not just with information, but with people. Our chaplaincy ministry walks alongside firefighters and their families through every stage of the fight.

Talk to a Chaplain   Request Support

This page is for general awareness and is not medical advice. Talk with your physician about the screenings that are right for you.