Our Research

Performing cancer screenings is an essential component of the Utah Firefighter Cancer Initiative’s efforts to address the No. 1 health risk firefighters face — but it’s not the only way we’re approaching the problem.

Led by the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health — an international leader in research related to occupational safety and health — we are pursuing research that will arm fire departments, policymakers, medical professionals, and firefighters with the information they need to combat the problem.

Our screening program is on the cutting edge, but are there even better methods to screen firefighters for cancer? Do per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” cause cancer in firefighters — and if so, how significant are the risks and what can be done to mitigate them? Are there additional forms of cancer linked to firefighting beyond those already known to be a concern? What are the best evidence-based decontamination procedures to reduce the dangers?

These are just a few of the questions we are setting out to answer. And as our research progresses, we will share our findings — on our website, social media accounts, and other platforms, as well as through venues such as peer-reviewed journals — to empower those who can take action to protect firefighters.

We are committed to saving firefighters’ lives. Our work to screen approximately 500 firefighters each year represents a significant step toward that goal. The insights we will unlock through our research are just as critical — with the potential to shield firefighters not only in Utah but those around the world.