WASHINGTON — More than 40,000 firefighters nationwide have enrolled in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, federal health officials announced, making it the largest firefighter cancer cohort in the United States.
The registry, led by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is designed to strengthen research into the link between firefighting and cancer, according to OH&S. Participants provide detailed work histories that researchers can link to state cancer registry data to track cancer incidence and better identify occupational risk factors.
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Officials said the registry’s rapid growth demonstrates strong participation and support from firefighters across the country.
“This milestone represents more than just numbers,” Kenny Fent, Ph.D., CIH, who leads the registry effort at NIOSH, said. “Each firefighter who participates contributes critical information that can help protect the health of those currently serving and future generations of firefighters.”
The National Firefighter Registry is open to all U.S. firefighters, career or volunteer, active or retired, including structural, wildland and specialty roles. Enrollment is voluntary and doesn’t require a cancer diagnosis.
Participants fill out an online survey about their service history and exposures, which is then linked to cancer registry data to track trends over time.
Researchers say the registry’s size and diversity will allow for more detailed analysis of cancer risks across roles, regions and fire types, and could help guide future recommendations on exposure control and health monitoring.
Officials said expanding enrollment will help identify trends, strengthen prevention efforts and reduce occupational cancer in the fire service.
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