Firefighter Cancer Awareness
The Government of Canada has recognized January 2024, as the official month for Firefighter Cancer Awareness. Firefighters whether they are career or volunteer, work tirelessly, risking their lives for others, they selflessly serve the communities that they live and work in.
Cancer accounts for more than 86% of all duty-related deaths among Canadian firefighters. These dedicated individuals face a 9% higher risk of cancer diagnosis and a 14% higher risk of cancer-related mortality compared to the general population.
For the estimated 32,000 career firefighters and 100,000 volunteer firefighters across the country, awareness, education, and information sharing are critical in the prevention and early detection of cancers associated with firefighting.