San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program

Cancer is a big concern for firefighters in San Antonio.

Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population.

Within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), more than 70 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years, including leukemia to multiple myeloma and cancers of the brain, thyroid, colon, prostate, and testicles. Many cases also go unreported.

To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health San Antonio and its Mays Cancer Center, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami have partnered to launch the San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program. The program aims to better understand and reduce the burden of cancer among local first responders.

Members of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio shared health materials and opportunities to participate in research programs with hundreds of local firefighters and emergency service personnel at the San Antonio Fire Department Wellness and Cancer Prevention Fair, which took place Jan. 25-26 and Feb. 1-2, 2025, at the SAFD Fire Training Academy in San Antonio.

SAFD, which includes more than 1,800 fire and emergency personnel serving a population of over 1.4 million residents, created its Occupational Cancer Committee to address the issue.

In 2024, the SAFD’s Occupational Cancer Committee began working with UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research and the Mays Cancer Center’s community outreach and engagement team. Together, they also partnered with Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative, which began in 2015.

Now, the San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program has started work.

“Our UT Health San Antonio team is already connecting with firefighters by sharing educational resources at SAFD health fairs,” said Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, MPH, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and associate director of community outreach and engagement at the Mays Cancer Center.

The program has also initiated an immediate response system with the Mays Cancer Center to provide cancer care referrals to firefighters who receive a cancer diagnosis.

“Our goal is to strengthen cancer prevention, education, and expert care for the incredible firefighters and emergency responders who dedicate their lives to protecting our community,” Ramirez said.

To reach us, please contact ramirezag@uthscsa.edu or rachelle.hamblin@outlook.com!