Week 2: Screening and early detection
Learn how cancer screening and early detection can help fire fighters identify risks sooner, along with key considerations around presumptive coverage and workers’ compensation.
A cancer diagnosis can mark the beginning of a significant and complex challenge, and fire fighters face a substantially higher risk of developing cancer due to repeated occupational exposures.
One way to reduce the impact of cancer is through preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, completing annual medical evaluations, and participating in recommended cancer screenings. While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force provides general screening guidelines, a fire fighter’s increased risk may warrant earlier or more frequent screening.
It is also important to understand how a cancer diagnosis may be covered under legislative presumptions and workers’ compensation laws. Working closely with your Local, department, and workers’ compensation representatives can help clarify benefits available under applicable state, provincial, or territorial statutes. Having this information in advance can make the process easier to navigate – and that is the focus of this week’s resources.