It is no secret that firefighters are exposed to a great deal of danger. One such danger is esophageal cancer.
Firefighters are 62% more likely to develop the disease.
On Monday, the Bethlehem Fire Department provided its first-ever screening of that cancer in an effort to save lives. “The fire down the south side a week ago, right? Nothing’s going to occur to me next week or so, but in the next 10 years, if the appropriate things don’t happen and the steps aren’t taken, something might happen,” said Sean Gilmore of the Bethlehem Fire Department.
For the 10-year Bethlehem firefighter, that might mean getting esophageal cancer.
“You hear a lot about it with post-9/11, and it’s a problem that is more of a chronic long-term than an acute,” he said.
Gilmore is one of 80 Bethlehem firefighters, current and former, now being screened for esophageal cancer.
The 3-minute test involves a small balloon inflated in the stomach to draw esophageal cells, and then deflate to preserve them. It is tested by Lucid Diagnostics.
The Connecticut firm has tested over 10,000 firefighters across the country, with a 12-15% positive test rate.
“One of the three most lethal cancers and it has an extremely high mortality rate, but if it is found early enough, it doesn’t need to go forward,” says Kelly Scott, Lucid Diagnostics.
It is a first-of-its-kind screening for the department, says Union President Lou Jimenez, who adds it comes as the union supports Governor Shapiro’s introduced dedicated funding for firefighter cancer screenings.
“A preventative measure. You never know. We might catch something early,” added Jimenez.
Potentially saving the lives of people who can save ours.