Wildland firefighters were thrilled when Congress passed a 2022 law streamlining cancer benefits, but the omission of female-specific cancers from the coverage has sparked renewed calls for reform.
Gabrielle Canon reports for The Guardian
In short:
- The 2022 federal law offered “presumptive cancer coverage” for wildland firefighters, removing the need to prove that work conditions caused their illness, but cancers like breast and ovarian were not included.
- Advocacy groups are pressing the Department of Labor to add female-specific cancers by December, noting that women represent a growing 16% of federal wildland firefighters.
- High toxin exposure from smoke and chemicals puts firefighters at increased cancer risk, yet the lack of comprehensive studies has stalled policy advancements.
Key quote:
“We have seen our young friends get cancers that are supposedly rare – and then you know four people who get it.”
— Riva Duncan, vice president of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters
Why this matters:
Firefighters regularly face toxic exposures and disparities in cancer coverage leave female firefighters at risk of financial hardship while battling the same job-related illnesses as their male colleagues. Equal benefits are a critical step in recognizing and protecting all firefighters against occupational hazards.
Learn more: Nearly 20,000 firefighters sue foam chemical companies over cancer risks
