The Utah Firefighter Cancer Initiative is proud to offer the most comprehensive firefighter screening program in the nation, made possible by funding from the Utah Legislature. Our aim is to save lives by detecting cancer early enough for treatment to be effective, ensuring Utah’s firefighters can live full, healthy lives well into retirement.
Eligibility requirements
Active Utah urban and wildland firefighters are eligible to be screened if they are age 40 or older or have a minimum of seven years of service. Career, part-time, and volunteer firefighters who meet those criteria are eligible.
How to participate
As there are more eligible firefighters than screening slots available, open sign-ups for screening are not available. We work with each fire department in the state to gather information regarding firefighters’ age and years of service and prioritize firefighters based on estimated cancer risk (as determined by a combination of age, years of service, and service type [wildland, volunteer, full-time, part-time]). As screening slots become available, we contact firefighters individually via personal and fire department email addresses, personal phone number, and chiefs' email addresses.
When firefighters are selected for a screening slot, UFCI will provide them with access to an online portal to schedule their appointment.
If you have questions regarding whether your department has provided UFCI with your information, contact your fire chief. Please fill out the form below if you have a specific question after speaking with your chief.
What is included in the screening
The screenings target the 15 cancers considered “presumptive” in Utah, as well as others, and include:
- General preventive cancer exam performed by board-certified physician
- Lab tests (complete blood count, chemical panel, hepatic enzymes, and urinalysis)
- PFAS testing, DNA methylation test, MicroRNA test
- Whole-body MRI (brain to pelvis)
- Low-dose lung CT scan
- Liquid biopsy
- Dermatology exam
- Prostate-specific antigen screening
- Physical prostate exam
- Oncology consultation (if necessary)
UFCI’s medical director will communicate results to the firefighter, maintaining confidentiality to the greatest possible extent. For firefighters with a cancer finding or other concerning issue, the medical director will offer to assist in coordinating appropriate follow-up healthcare.
Who pays for the screenings?
The screenings are free to firefighters.
The Utah Legislature passed a law during the 2025 general session providing our initiative with $3.7 million annually through 2028 to screen at least 500 firefighters a year. The law states that, following the initial three-year period, public fire departments or public fire organizations will cover the cost of the screenings. We are also seeking philanthropic support for additional funds.
Location of screenings
Firefighters will undergo a whole-body MRI on the University of Utah campus and a CT scan through Rayus Radiology (multiple locations available). The rest of the screening will occur at the Utah Firefighter Health & Wellness Center, which is located at: 250 E. 200 S., Suite 1200, Salt Lake City, 84111.
How long do the screenings take?
Firefighters should plan to devote an entire day, or two half-days, to the screening process, depending on how they schedule their CT scan and MRI. The screening process is extensive, including consultations with three doctors, necessitating the time commitment.
How often should firefighters be screened?
Following their initial screening, firefighters aged 40-49 should be screened every five years, while those aged 50 and older should be screened every three years.
How many screenings will UFCI perform?
We have funding through the state to perform 500 screenings annually.
What to do before a screening slot opens
First, it’s critical that firefighters ensure their fire department has provided us with the information we require to properly place them in the priority list: full name, birth year, date of first hire in any Utah fire service, total years of service, and name of fire chief.
Firefighters should also familiarize themselves with preventative steps they can take to limit their chances of developing cancer.
Can retired firefighters participate?
We do not currently have the ability to screen retired firefighters. However, we view this as a critical need and are seeking philanthropic support to fund no-cost screenings for this group.