FIRE FIGHTERS AND RISK OF CANCER: AN ASSESSMENT AND OVERVIEW OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE

The present analysis focuses on all cancers combined and on those specific cancers which individual studies have reported to show an association with the occupation of fire fighter. The cancers in question are lung cancer, colon cancer, brain tumors, malignant melanoma, and multiple myeloma. It must be emphasized that these cancers were selected empirically rather than from a priori considerations of biologic plausibility. The studies which have identified possible associations with these cancers are presented below.