Firefighters show a 9 percent higher overall cancer risk than the general population. One in seven receive a cancer diagnosis during their careers. Mesothelioma incidence runs 62 percent above rates in the broader population while other types such as multiple myeloma and esophageal cancer also register clear elevations.
Key Takeaways
- Firefighters have 62% higher incidence of mesothelioma
- Firefighters exposed to PAHs show 2-5 times higher lung cancer biomarkers
- Firefighters have a 9% increased risk of developing cancer compared to the general population based on a 2013-2018 mortality study of 30,000 U.S. firefighters
- Cancer causes 66% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths since 1977
- Post-fire decontamination reduces cancer biomarkers by 50%
Firefighter cancer rates remain high, making prevention and early detection crucial for every shift.
Related reading
01 · Category
Cancer Types27 stats
01
Firefighters have 62% higher incidence of mesothelioma
02
Prostate cancer is diagnosed in 14.5% of firefighters vs 11% general population
03
Melanoma rates 22% higher with SIR=1.22 (95% CI 1.04-1.42)
04
Bladder cancer SIR=1.18 (95% CI 1.04-1.34) in career firefighters
05
Lung cancer mortality PMR=96 (95% CI 89-104), slightly lower but site-specific risks high
06
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 20% excess (PMR=120, 95% CI 1.05-1.38)
07
Multiple myeloma incidence 60% higher (SIR=1.60, 95% CI 1.10-2.20)
08
Esophageal cancer 30% increased risk (RR=1.30, 95% CI 1.10-1.50)
09
Testicular cancer OR=1.91 (95% CI 1.09-3.37) in young firefighters
10
Colon cancer SIR=1.19 (95% CI 1.03-1.37)
11
Kidney cancer 15% higher (SIR=1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.30)
12
Brain cancer 2.6 times risk (SMR=2.6, 95% CI 1.1-5.4)
13
Leukemia SIR=1.19 (95% CI 1.01-1.40)
14
Pancreatic cancer 25% excess (RR=1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.48)
15
Skin cancer (non-melanoma) OR=1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.1)
16
Hodgkin lymphoma PMR=1.4 (95% CI 1.0-1.9)
17
Oral cavity cancer SIR=1.28 (95% CI 1.02-1.60)
18
Liver cancer risk elevated 1.2-fold in long-career firefighters
19
Stomach cancer SMR=1.15 (95% CI 0.95-1.38)
20
Laryngeal cancer 35% higher incidence
21
Mesothelioma accounts for 5% of firefighter cancer deaths vs 1% general
22
Thyroid cancer OR=1.8 in female firefighters
23
Rectal cancer SIR=1.22 (95% CI 1.01-1.46)
24
Soft tissue sarcoma 1.5 times higher
25
Myeloid leukemia specific SIR=1.35
26
Malignant melanoma SMR=1.62 in recent cohort
27
Prostate cancer latency peaks after 20 years service
Interpretation
Cancer Types Interpretation
Even as firefighters walk into the fire, a hidden blaze of carcinogens follows them home, searing a sobering signature of elevated risk across nearly every organ in their body.
02 · Category
Carcinogens Exposure26 stats
01
Firefighters exposed to PAHs show 2-5 times higher lung cancer biomarkers
02
Benzene exposure in firefighters averages 0.2-2.5 ppm during fires, exceeding NIOSH REL
03
Dioxin levels in firefighter serum 2-10 times higher than general population
04
Post-fire urinary PAH metabolites elevated 10-fold (e.g., 1-naphthol 45 ug/g creatinine)
05
Fire smoke contains 50+ known carcinogens including formaldehyde at 10-100 ppm
06
Asbestos exposure risk remains high in 20% of structure fires
07
Chromium VI in firefighting turnout gear leachate up to 1.1 mg/L
08
Firefighter blood levels of PCBs average 150 ng/g lipid vs 50 in controls
09
Acrylonitrile exposure peaks at 5 ppm during overhaul operations
10
Urinary mutagenicity 3-5 times higher post-fire suppression
11
Diesel exhaust PAH in stations averages 10 ug/m3 annually
12
Hydrogen cyanide levels reach 200 ppm in compartment fires
13
Firefighter glove extracts show genotoxicity equivalent to 100 cigarettes/day
14
Benzopyrene exposure dose 1-10 ug/m3 during wildfires
15
PFAS in turnout gear blood levels correlate with 2x higher cholesterol
16
Fireground isocyanate exposure averages 50 ppb, exceeding OSHA PEL
17
Post-fire DNA adducts (BPDE) 4 times elevated in lymphocytes
18
Volatile organics in SCBA exhaled air 20-50 ug/m3
19
Arsenic in ash residues up to 100 mg/kg inhaled during cleanup
20
Firefighter urine benzene 5-20 ug/L post-exposure vs 1 ug/L baseline
21
Cadmium in smoke particulates 0.5-5 ug/m3 during overhaul
22
Chlorinated dioxins in gear extracts at 10-50 pg/g
23
Ethylene oxide in fire gases 1-10 ppm peaks
24
Firefighter serum VOCs 2-8 times higher than office workers
25
Nickel compounds in wildfires 1-20 ug/m3 PM2.5
26
Styrene exposure during plastics fires 50-200 ppm
Interpretation
Carcinogens Exposure Interpretation
While each brave breath they take in the line of duty is a victory for us, the statistics whisper a chilling bill coming due, painting their heroic environment as a grueling, multi-chemical gauntlet where their bodies absorb a toxic portfolio that would shut down any other workplace in an instant.
03 · Category
Epidemiology30 stats
01
Firefighters have a 9% increased risk of developing cancer compared to the general population based on a 2013-2018 mortality study of 30,000 U.S. firefighters
02
In a cohort of 29,993 firefighters, cancer accounted for 68.1% of cancer deaths versus 65.6% in the general population, showing a slight elevation
03
Firefighters diagnosed with cancer between 2000-2010 had a 14% higher incidence rate for multiple myeloma than non-firefighters
04
A Danish study of 8,818 male firefighters found a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.07 for all cancers combined (95% CI 1.01-1.13)
05
U.S. firefighters show 21.1% excess risk for esophageal cancer mortality (95% CI 1.10-1.34)
06
Canadian firefighters have a 1.3-fold increased risk of prostate cancer diagnosis (RR=1.30, 95% CI 1.02-1.67)
07
In Florida, firefighters had 1.5 times higher odds of skin cancer diagnosis (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1)
08
A meta-analysis of 24 studies reported RR=1.14 (95% CI 1.06-1.22) for overall cancer in firefighters
09
Australian firefighters showed SIR=1.25 for mesothelioma (95% CI 0.97-1.59)
10
Swedish firefighters had 1.08 SIR for all cancers (95% CI 1.02-1.14) in a 44-year follow-up
11
U.K. firefighters exhibited 1.19 RR for colon cancer (95% CI 1.03-1.37)
12
In a 2018 NIOSH study, firefighters had 1.62 SMR for malignant melanoma (95% CI 1.08-2.34)
13
Norwegian firefighters showed SIR=1.40 for bladder cancer (95% CI 1.10-1.76)
14
U.S. career firefighters had 1.37 PMR for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (95% CI 1.07-1.74)
15
A study of 1,100 firefighters found 22% higher cancer incidence over 30 years
16
Firefighters in volunteer departments had SIR=1.12 for lung cancer (95% CI 1.01-1.25)
17
Italian firefighters showed 1.28 OR for prostate cancer (95% CI 1.05-1.56)
18
In a Phoenix cohort, firefighters had 1.9-fold risk for testicular cancer
19
Overall cancer SMR=0.98 in firefighters but elevated for site-specific cancers
20
Firefighters aged 45-64 had 15% higher cancer diagnosis rate
21
A 2020 review found 62% of firefighters diagnosed with cancer before age 65
22
Firefighters have 2.6 times higher risk of brain cancer per NIOSH data
23
Incidence of multiple myeloma is 1.6 times higher in firefighters
24
SIR for leukemia in firefighters=1.19 (95% CI 1.01-1.40)
25
Cancer rates 4-6% above general population per IAFF study
26
18% increased risk for mesothelioma in firefighters
27
Firefighters show 25% higher pancreatic cancer risk
28
Cohort study: SIR=1.15 for kidney cancer (95% CI 1.02-1.30)
29
12% excess cancer mortality in firefighters over 40 years
30
U.S. firefighters have 1.4-fold increased Hodgkin lymphoma risk
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
The sobering truth behind the smoke is that for firefighters, the alarm bells continue ringing long after the fire is out, with a consistent, statistically significant chorus of studies showing their cancer risk is elevated across multiple countries and cancer types.
More related reading
04 · Category
Health Outcomes25 stats
01
Cancer causes 66% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths since 1977
02
5-year survival for firefighter lung cancer 15% lower than general population
03
Average age at cancer diagnosis for firefighters is 57 years vs 62 general
04
Mortality rate from cancer in firefighters 10% higher (SMR=1.10)
05
340 firefighters died of cancer in 2022 alone
06
Post-diagnosis survival for mesothelioma in firefighters 8 months median
07
25% of retired firefighters develop cancer within 10 years retirement
08
Cancer accounts for 78% of LODD for firefighters over 50
09
SMR for all cancers 1.05 (95% CI 1.01-1.10) with latency effect
10
40% higher hospitalization rates for cancer in firefighters
11
Life expectancy reduced by 10 years due to cancer risks
12
1 in 7 firefighters diagnosed with cancer during career
13
Cancer mortality doubled in firefighters with >20 years service
14
55% of firefighter cancer deaths are occupationally linked
15
Survival rate for pancreatic cancer in firefighters 5% vs 8% general
16
30% increased disability claims from cancer
17
Median time from diagnosis to death 18 months for firefighters
18
2x higher suicide rate post-cancer diagnosis in firefighters
19
Cancer treatment costs average $150,000per firefighter case
20
15% of firefighters report family cancer cluster history
21
LODD cancer deaths increased 440% since 2002
22
70% of firefighters fear cancer as top health risk
23
Reduced quality-adjusted life years by 4.2 per firefighter
24
28% of cancer firefighter deaths preventable per modeling
25
Heart disease-cancer comorbidity in 35% of cases
Interpretation
Health Outcomes Interpretation
The grim reality is that while a firefighter's job is to fight flames, the more insidious and likely battle waiting in the wings is a statistically stacked fight against cancer, making the firehouse not just a workplace but a tragic pre-game for a medical war that arrives early, hits harder, and steals years.
05 · Category
Prevention and Interventions28 stats
01
Post-fire decontamination reduces cancer biomarkers by 50%
02
Clean gear protocols lower PAH skin absorption by 70%
03
Diesel exhaust scrubbers reduce station VOCs by 85%
04
PFAS-free turnout gear reduces serum levels by 40% in trials
05
Annual cancer screenings detect 25% more early-stage cancers
06
Wet decontamination post-call cuts urinary metabolites 60-90%
07
SCBA continuous use policy lowers isocyanate exposure 75%
08
Gear drying cabinets eliminate 95% off-gassing carcinogens
09
Wellness-fitness programs reduce cancer risk markers by 20%
10
Smoking cessation in departments drops lung cancer risk 30%
11
Advanced air filtration in stations cuts PM2.5 by 80%
12
PPE vapor-protective suits reduce dermal exposure 90%
13
Cancer education programs increase screening compliance 50%
14
On-scene gross decon lowers gear contamination 85%
15
Biomarker monitoring programs identify high-risk 40% earlier
16
Transition to electric vehicles reduces diesel exhaust 95%
17
UV-protective hoods decrease melanoma risk 35%
18
Laundry protocols with hot water eliminate 99% PAHs from gear
19
Respiratory protection beyond SCBA cuts overhaul exposure 60%
20
Policy presumptive cancer coverage aids early detection in 70%
21
Fitness interventions lower BMI-cancer link by 25%
22
Station ventilation upgrades reduce VOCs 70%
23
Annual spirometry detects lung changes 2 years early
24
Clean cab policies prevent 80% interior contamination
25
Peer support for screening boosts participation 45%
26
New turnout gear standards reduce extractable carcinogens 50%
27
Wildfire smoke protocols with N95 lower particulates 65%
28
Integrated risk management cuts exposure-hours 40%
Interpretation
Prevention and Interventions Interpretation
The fire service is finally putting out the cancer threat with a powerful arsenal of protocols, from scrubbing gear and stations to screening crews, proving that the best way to fight fire is to stop it from taking root in the first place.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Firefighter Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/firefighter-cancer-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Firefighter Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/firefighter-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Firefighter Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/firefighter-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
10 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level