(Transcript)

What Are The Most Common Causes of Firefighter Cancer and What Types Of Cancer Are Firefighters Considered Most At Risk.

Hi friends, I’m Jim Adler, the tough, smart lawyer and today we will be discussing the types, risks, and causes of firefighter cancer in Texas and across the US. At the end of the video, we will give you a number to call for help and much more information.

Firefighters have one of the most dangerous jobs in America. According to national statistics, firefighting is ranked the 15th most dangerous job in the United States, with 6.2 deaths per 100,000 deaths. Of all firefighters, a promotion to firefighting supervisor increases the fatality rate from 6.2 to 20 per 100,000, which ranks this position the ninth (9th) most dangerous job title ahead of power linemen, agriculture workers, highway maintenance workers, mechanics, police officers, and construction workers. Although the dangers of fighting a fire are well-known, the CDC reports that cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters. Other CDC research over a multiple-year study found that firefighters have a higher rate of cancer than the general population, with some firefighter cancers being twice as likely to occur than in the general population.

These trends, unfortunately, continue in Texas, where state statistics reveal that firefighter injuries and deaths in Texas are similar to the national firefighter injury statistics. There are two exceptions: Texas firefighters report more minor injuries while fighting a fire. The second is that Texas firefighters often have more injuries in non-fire or other on-duty calls. Overall, the same state statistics show that each year there are approximately nine fatalities while on duty. Texas has comparable numbers to national statistics in terms of cancer diagnoses, with roughly 20 new diagnoses in state firefighters each year.

While September 11th may have highlighted the cancer rates of first responders, national statistics have focused explicitly on firefighters who have an elevated cancer rate. Some statistics even reveal that cancer caused 70% of line-of-duty deaths for career firefighters in the United States.

Some of the most common cancers among firefighters include:
– Mesothelioma
– Testicular cancer
– Multiple myeloma
– Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
– Skin cancer
– Malignant melanoma
– Brain cancer
– Prostate cancer
– Colon cancer
– Leukemia
These numbers are similar to the reported diagnoses in Texas, where the most common included:
– Skin/melanoma/basal cell carcinoma
– Testicular
– Prostate
– Colorectal
– Colon
– Anal
– And Kidney cancer.
Common Causes of Firefighter Cancer
Our firefighter cancer lawyers in Texas know that there are a lot of potential causes of firefighter cancer that could cause or increase the risk for cancer. Many of these causes are inherent to fighting a fire, and some of the most common causes include the following:
– Smoke inhalation
– Chemical inhalation
– Use of fire fighting foam
– Soot and debris that is inhaled or carried in clothing
– Training outside in the sun
– Burns
– Chemical burns
– Hazardous fumes from burned materials
– Toxic soot
– Melted plastics, and
– Other common causes related to on-duty work, off-duty, or training.
If you or a loved one are a firefighter diagnosed with cancer, call our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers at Jim Adler & Associates for a FREE consultation by dialing 1-800- 567-7575 or contact us through our website at jimadler.com.