Cancer rates are rising among firefighters: ‘It just keeps happening’

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) - Firefighters and doctors are worried about the growing evidence of the connection between cancer and firefighter deaths.

In some areas, cancer is considered a leading cause of the deaths of firefighters.

In St. Louis, the life of a firefighter who served with the Mehlville Fire Protection District has been honored after she was laid to rest last week.

Tina Mecey, who was a firefighter, paramedic and engineer, died of presumptive cancer. Her officers and doctors believe she developed cancer because of her job.

Mehlville Chief Brian Hendricks said “it just keeps happening” as firefighters continue to get sick and die from cancer despite the district adopting policies, updating gear and focusing on cancer training.

This fight has been ongoing for decades internationally. One organization has been tracking hundreds of fighters for years.

The Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) was started in 2016 with help from FEMA. It focuses on gathering nationwide data on firefighter health and exposure information connected to cancer-causing substances.

The directors of the study hope they can track the long-term health of firefighters over three decades.

The Lavender Ribbon Report offers best practices for limiting cancer risks for firefighters.

“Cancer is a leading health risk facing firefighters, largely due to the chemicals and carcinogens they are exposed to while on the job,” the report states.

Doctors with the Siteman Cancer Center and members of the Missouri Firefighters Critical Illness Pool said these carcinogens are the leading risk in firefighting.

Retired Eureka Fire Chief Greg Brown said he will talk to anyone who wants to talk about firefighter cancer. He became interested in providing help after so many of the firefighters he had as mentors developed cancer themselves.

He said he agrees with medical experts that a change in culture needs to take place across the firefighting industry to protect young people. These changes should focus on safety, masking and quality cleaning.

He agrees with multiple medical experts and Chief Hendricks that a change in culture must take place across the firefighting industry to protect young people — putting a focus on safety, masking and quality cleaning.

Many experts feel the main danger is from cancer-causing agents that are present in fires, as plastics, paint and other materials burn away.

Carcinogens are any substance that might cause cancer. When a structure burns experts said the particles in the air can linger on the skin or clothing, causing more exposure and potentially leading to cancer.

Dr. Adetunji Toriola of the Siteman Center said firefighter cancer risks are somewhat of a new concern. It has only been in the last few years research has shown a serious connection between cancer risk and firefighting activities.

He said early screening for cancer is important for anyone, but especially firefighters.

Retired firefighters tell First Alert 4 they’ve seen a number of friends pass from cancer complications in Missouri. The Critical Illness Pool provides support for cancer challenges faced by families and firefighters dealing with cancer complications.

“Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public,” federal estimates state.

Inhalation, absorption and ingestion through the nose, mouth or skin are leading theories of how cancer attacks a firefighter.

Mehlville Fire officials said that, in the past, their crews used to keep their gear dirty and in vehicles.

However, they do not do that anymore. Keeping gear clean and with a vapor barrier is now routine and required, according to Hendricks.

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