PHX Reporter

City of Phoenix issued the following announcement on Jan. 28.

Firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. From 2015-2020, 75% of the fire fighters added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died from occupational cancer.

That number includes Phoenix firefighters Rick Telles and Brian Beck Jr.

In honor of January being Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, the Phoenix Fire Department has continued to educate fire service members about this problem and empower them to take steps toward detection, treatment, and prevention.

One of those steps includes the cancer screenings for all Phoenix first responders at Vincere Cancer Center.

Vincere began seeing first responders in November of 2018.

The program initially started when Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Vershalee Shukla noticed a small influx in firefighters being diagnosed with various cancers. After a bit of research, she realized the epidemic amongst our nation's first responders.

The more research that was done, the more she realized a preventive program was needed for the safety and overall health and wellbeing of those who serve their communities.

That's when Dr. Shukla partnered with key players in the city of Phoenix to create a first of its kind program.

That program consists of comprehensive visits for Phoenix first responders to identify their known exposures to carcinogens on the job. In addition to discussing any risks the individual may have.

Although the city of Phoenix was the first to offer this type of program to its members, it has grown statewide with other departments folllowing suit.

To date, Dr. Shukla estimates she has caught nearly 90 cancers in early stages among Valley firefighters.

Because of trailblazing efforts led by Phoenix Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner and the collaboration with Vincere Cancer Center less firefighters will die from cancer.

“Cancer isn't scary anymore, we're catching it early and with very good outcomes," Dr. Shukla said.

Learn more about Vincere Cancer Center and the free cancer screenings for first responders at https://vincerecancer.com/screening.

Original source can be found here.