New study links firefighting to higher cancer death rates

New data is underscoring the increased risk of a career in firefighting.

A study led by the American Cancer Society compared death rates for more than 470,000 male firefighters nationwide and males in other occupations.

Scientists found the mortality rate from skin cancer was 58% higher for firefighters compared to non-firefighters, and 40% higher for kidney cancer.

A career of 30 years or longer was also linked to an increased risk of death from prostate and colorectal cancers.

The statistics hit home for Western Wake Fire Rescue Chief Shevais Shrum, who was diagnosed with melanoma in 2016.

“I had a spot on my back for a while,” he said. “I had an appointment and within weeks I was in surgery and I had a wide-area excision performed. They took a large chunk of skin out of my back and they did some excisions in my back and my armpit to look at my lymph nodes to make sure it hadn’t spread.”

Shrum said he is thankful his skin cancer was detected early, and said he hasn’t had any additional issues since.

He originally thought it may have been caused from going outdoors without sunscreen, but now wonders if it was linked to his firefighting gear.

“I got to thinking about where it was and where I sit in the fire truck and what I’m leaning against every time I get in and out of that truck, and it’s our self-contained breathing apparatus,” Shrum explained. “It goes into fires with us and it provides the clean breathing air for us. Every day, I would lean against that in the truck and it’s exactly where that spot was, so I started putting two-and-two together.”

As he continued to climb the ranks into leadership, Shrum said he learned just how common cancer is among those he served with.

“I started researching and I started talking to other people. Through that, I found out many other firefighters were dealing with cancers, whether it was skin cancer, thyroid cancer, or neck cancer,” he said.

Shrum has since used his story to advocate through the American Cancer Society and encourage others to take their health seriously.

“When I first got started, dirty gear was a badge of honor. It was showing you were active and involved and aggressive. Over the course of years, now it’s looked at in the exact opposite way. Clean gear is looked at as being respectful for yourself, your fellow firefighters, as well as your family,” the fire chief said.

Shrum said changing the culture requires veteran firefighters to be open about their experiences with cancer with those newer on the force.

“We get in and we’re very young, and we’re very impressionable,” he said. “We try to set that culture as soon as we possibly can of keeping your equipment clean, keeping your gear clean, and showering within an hour of being contaminated.”

The leader said the mission has always been to protect the community but noted how the dangers of the fires they fight have shifted.

“The material in buildings have changed, there’s a lot more plastics. Back in the 70s and 80s, it was natural wood and natural fibers, and now everything is synthetic,” he explained.

Shrum continued, “They burn hotter, and they burn faster, and they release a lot of things that are terrible for you to breathe in and to absorb through your skin as well.”

Shrum said the goal of newer equipment, technology, and procedures is to reduce risk of cancer and carcinogen exposure.

“We know we’re not going to eliminate it, so our goal is to just get it as small as possible,” he said.

The leader said research by NC State and investments from Wake County to provide additional turnout gear are actively helping to improve the lives of local firefighters.

Shrum said moving forward, leaders must continue to prioritize trainings and policies regarding protective gear.

“The biggest thing is if people don’t wear them properly, if they don’t take the time to wipe down after a call, if they don’t take the time to shower after the call, if they don’t take time to clean their gear after the call – all that goes away,” warned Shrum. “It’s setting the culture, and it’s changing the mindsets of our people that dirty gear is not acceptable and we won’t tolerate it. Then, it becomes second nature.”

He also said it’s important for stations like his and others in Wake County share what they learn and the measures they are taking with other stations across the state and nationally, to further drive down the alarming statistics.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Don’t be afraid to share your story. Share it with your peers, share it with everybody you can. Let people know to get checked out,” he advised.

Timeline: WRAL investigates cancer killing firefighters, how to reduce the risk