6/1/2024‐ FDNY Fire Academy (Randalls Island, NY). The FDNY united with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to conduct a comprehensive skin cancer screening for all of its active and retired members.
The AAD launched the Firefighter Skin Cancer Checks Initiative with the goal of diagnosing skin cancers early when they are highly treatable. This event addressed the elevated occupational risk for skin cancer (21% greater risk of melanoma) as part of early detection for "the most common type of cancer in the United States and one that is easily treatable when detected early".
FDNY JOINT INITIATIVE WITH HEALTH EXPERTS & ADVOCATES
By: Lennard M. Gettz, Ed.D
In an interview with Battalion Chief John Haseney, a collaborative relationship was established last year between the FCSN and the FDNY to develop a department‐wide skin cancer screening program. "Since then, Russ Osgood (VP of FCSN) and I coordinated our first event on Sept. 30 of 2023 and then another one on February 10th of this year. With the recent partnership with the AAD, this latest event went very well!", said Chief Haseney.
Attendees appreciated the well‐orchestrated group effort in support of our first responders. Under the clinical expertise of Dr. Christine Kannler (dermatologist), she and her team installed a total of twelve examination tents at the ready for the many active and retired members of the FDNY. Thirteen board‐certified dermatologists and dermatology residents provided free skin checks to nearly 300 firefighters on Saturday. Dr. Kannler initiated her own version of the program since 2018, donating her valuable expertise and time to provide free, potentially life‐saving skin cancer screenings to firefighters under the AAD skin cancer screening program.
Chief Haseney credits the FDNY leadership, the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) and the Uniformed Fire Officer Association (UFOA) for getting the word out and inviting all members to attend this health event. He also recognizes Mollie’s Fund (a non‐profit foundation advocating for melanoma education and screening) and DetecTogether for their contribution to the added promotion of this screening events. In a recent statement, he encourages any fire department large or small, city or suburb, volunteer or career to set up a free skin cancer screening for its membership by contacting their local FCSN rep or a dermatologist associated with the AAD. "It’s easy and simple.”
FIREFIGHTERS CANCER SUPPORT NETWORK
Source: Chief R. Osgood
Since 2005, the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) has provided assistance and one-on-one mentoring to thousands of cancer-stricken firefighters and their families. The group’s primary mission is to provide support to firefighters that are diagnosed with cancer. This includes providing education and awareness as well as producing events such as cancer screening opportunities for active and retired members of the fire service.
“We have mentors throughout the country who are firefighters that have survived cancer that are helping other firefighters through their cancer battle”, says Vice President of Education Chief Russel Osgood, of Ogunquit, Maine.
In an interview about the June 1st screening event, Chief Osgood provided an overview of the FCSN’s blueprint and coordination of the program. “This skin cancer screening event at the FDNY Academy was the premier AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) partnership rollout event. The FCSN and Dr. Christine Kannler have worked closely together for about three years… and since 2022, we worked under an endowment from the AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) to produce skin cancer screenings to firefighters across the nation. Prior to this program, we worked together on nine or 10 large cancer screening events together where we offered screening to an estimated total of 3000 responders so far. Under the AAD partnership, we are scheduled to conduct a total of 45 new projects, coordinating with dermatologists from many regions in the country.”
Using a model that began in 2017 by board-certified dermatologist, and sister of fallen Chelsea MA Firefighter Peter Kannler, Christine Kannler, had screened thousands of firefighters across New England. This program is saving lives and can now be utilized across the nation to bring skin cancer screenings to firehouses, where firefighters can spend a few moments from their busy day being screened for a melanoma and other skin cancers.
The spirit of the rescue responder runs deep within the family of dermatologist Dr. Christine Kannler from Northeast Dermatology Associates, North Andover Massachusetts. Dr. Kannler embarked on a national mission to screen firefighters for skin cancer in 2017. The loss of her brother, Peter Kannler a firefighter from Chelsea, was diagnosed with occupational esophageal cancer at age 36 and passed away in 2016. Dr. Kannler took her medical expertise to the national road with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the American Academy of Dermatology. The following is a transcript from an in-depth interview on June 22nd with Dr. Kannler about her crusade to support firefighters’ health. She generously shared her valuable insights on the need for regular health screenings and her skin cancer screening program which she hopes would inspire departments to do more for active first responders.
ON EDUCATION AND PROACTIVE AWARENESS
By: Dr. Christine Kannler
I educate firefighters about fire scene exposures. Firefighters are inhaling carcinogens into their lungs, ingesting carcinogens into their GI systems when talking, and absorbing carcinogens through the skin when covered in soot. Firefighters smell like a fire for three days after the event. It is like eating a delicious Italian dinner- you smell like garlic a couple days later. The mechanisms are the same: Your body is just trying to remove those chemicals, whether it be good chemicals like garlic or the bad chemicals in the fire.
I also explain that as soon as the alarm goes off, endorphins surge, heart rate increases, blood vessels dilate, skin pores open to help modulate body temperature. What's also happening is that the soot and the carcinogens are traveling down into those dilated pores and into those blood vessels. Skin absorption levels change in hot environments; for example, groin skin absorption increases 300-fold at a fire scene. Firefighter gear contains PFAS so perhaps the increased absorption is playing a role in the increased incidence of prostate cancer in young firefighters. Science has studied the blood and urine of firefighters before and after a fire, and the carcinogens levels increase thereby solidifying the 2014 NIOSH firefighter study which showed firefighters have a 9% higher incidence of cancer and a 14% higher mortality rate.
When you explain what's happening and what science has shown there is more understanding why firefighters need to get cancer screening at earlier ages. Not only do firefighters face a 21% greater risk of melanoma but firefighters are being diagnosed decades earlier at ages of 30 and 49. Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer and one American dies of melanoma every hour, but this doesn’t have to happen as melanoma is treatable when detected early. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is committed to increasing the awareness of firefighter cancers, especially melanoma, and has launched a national firefighter skin cancer screening initiative. This illustrates the importance of educating our medical providers as environmental and occupational carcinogen exposures are not a part of the traditional medical education and the need for more educational journal articles in our medical literature. Dermatologists have extensive training and expertise to identify suspicious lesion, diagnose cancer and provide treatment. For firefighters or the public in general, it is important to contact a board-certified dermatologist if you notice a new spot, a spot that looks much different than others, or have a skin lesion that is changing, consistently itching, bleeding, scaling or not healing.
THE FUTURE OF SCREENING FOR OCCUPATIONAL CANCERS
For the next two years, the American Academy of Dermatology, together with the Firefighters Cancer Support Network, are connecting the firefighter community with board certified dermatologists- the skin cancer experts, to help save the lives of these heroes. I see the future of this skin cancer screening program being broadened out to other high-risk groups. Though my focus is on firefighters, POLICE are at high risk for skin cancer and other types of occupational cancers since they're maintaining the fire scene safety. Massachusetts cancer registry data from the 1980’s showed that firefighters had the highest incidence of cancer and police had the second highest rate. There are other groups in our society- construction workers, farmers, petrochemical workers and pilots, who are also at high risk, at least for melanoma, and most likely other types of cancers as well due to their environmental exposures at work to petroleum-based products or increased UV radiation. Importantly, these groups of society also happen to be the least engaged in health care. My hope is the AAD will continue to screen firefighters but also expand this program to other at high risk occupations in the years to come. The firefighter skin cancer program is unique in that we are able to screen firefighters at local firehouses which is nontraditional but allows for a more intimate interaction and increases firefighter participation.
AFTERTHOUGHT
As we learn more about exposures, we can broaden out the cancer screening, but my goal ultimately would be to target HEALTH. We can analyze the type of cancer you have and make a targeted chemotherapy regimen and cancer treatment plan; why can’t we target cancer screening to reflect the high risk exposures of an individual? To me, it would make more sense to compile all the known exposure data and make a comprehensive cancer screening program or health/wellness program for these individuals from day one when they start their job and proactively screen these individuals at an earlier age for all known health conditions, as opposed to trying to pick up the pieces later in that last year of life after they've gotten this horrible cancer diagnosis. Financially it would be a better investment to screen and detect earlier cancers. Currently our health system spends an enormous amount of money in the last year or years of life and the outcomes are not always desirable. The USPTF makes cancer screening recommendations for the average American citizen and firefighters have carcinogenic exposures that exceed those of the average American. The current system is not working; it doesn’t make any sense; and brave firefighters are dying of cancer nationwide!
This feature is sponsored by:
In a recent episode of RESPONDER RESILIENCE, Lt. Guiler (female firefighter and breast cancer survivor) promotes female firefighter dolls that are beacons of empowerment for young girls, introducing them to the world of firefighting (featured on Good Morning America, Kelly Clarkson Show, Woman’s World Magazine) A portion of the proceeds will go to the Triple F Foundation- a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, to help firefighters who are battling cancer & on the job injuries.
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Nothing stops Christine Kannler, MD, and Abby Baker, Program Coordinator for the Mass Fire Academy, from conducting a scheduled
#SkinCancer screening! They had quite an experience traveling by sea, air, and land to and from the Nantucket Fire Department earlier this month. The weather threatened to cancel the skin cancer screening completely, but the two pushed on and reached Nantucket via ferry to screen 26 firefighters. During that process, the ferries returning to Hyannis were cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain -- so the duo made their way back via plane. The seas were rough, but the skies were rougher! They returned to the Cape the next day to conduct more screenings.
Want to schedule a skin cancer screening at your department? Use the course request form at
http://ow.ly/9nP850GYPYc and try to beat that adventure!
In appreciation: Dr. Christine Kannler (the Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshall Award "
Firefighting is an inherently dangerous calling. But of all the hazards we confront each day, occupational cancer is the one most likely to take our lives. Firefighters are far more likely than the general public to be diagnosed with cancer, to develop it earlier in life, and to discover it in its later stages. Dr. Christine Kannler is determined to improve our odds." - see complete Remarks of Former State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, 11/17/22
For this segment, our publishing team wishes to express our special thanks to Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) Public Information Officer Jake Wark and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, whose leadership makes firefighter cancer a priority for the agency and makes our partnership with Dr. Kannler possible..
HEALTHALERT: SKIN REACTIONS POTENTIALLY LINKED TO HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION: By: Dr. Robert L. Bard
Heavy metal poisoning can occur from a significant exposure to certain metals in the air, water or digested materials. Heavy metals including ARSENIC, LEAD and MERCURY are recognized to cause a wide range of health issues and even death and others. Poisoning can happen if you eat or drink something tainted with heavy metals or if you breathe in contaminated dust or fumes.
ARSENIC EXPOSURES & CANCERS: Inorganic arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen and is the most significant chemical contaminant in drinking‐water globally...and are highly toxic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people are exposed to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic through drinking contaminated water, food preparation and irrigation of food crops, industrial processes... and is used industrially in the processing of glass, pigments, textiles, paper, metal adhesives, wood preservatives, ammunition, and, to a limited extent, in pesticides, feed additives and pharmaceuticals. (See complete report)
It’s not just these obvious sources that are contaminating our environment. Natural disasters produce their own share of toxins, directly and indirectly. Toxins that normally aren’t released into the environment directly can pose new threats when natural disasters overwhelm current measures. For example, today’s fires release toxins as materials burn, whether these materials are those found in nature or those that are manufactured. Floods cause sewage and industrial or agricultural waste to enter waterways and groundwater systems. As these natural disasters these become increasingly more frequent and more devastating, we’ll need new ways of addressing their impact. (See complete report)
6/11/2024- I recently partnered with "
PROSTATESCAN NOW" because of the rampant health concern in my generation and my retired FF community for Prostate Cancer. I welcome you to view our pilot episode in support of proactive checkups and Prostate Health! I'm speaking to all my dude-friends in their 50's who need to start taking their health more seriously, while applauding those who have stayed on top of early detection and prevention. One such person is my latest hero in this- Mr. Barrie Kolstein. Check out our feature on this great motivator and role model!
(See video)
3/27/2024- 23 years later, those exposed to 9/11 continue to feel the health repercussions of toxin and toxicants from the historical urban disaster. More than the 343 firefighters who perished during that fated time, we continue to find cases in the rescue and responder service, contracting the many types of illnesses from this horrendous response call. 13x Emmy Award winning reporter Marvin Scott covers the EARLY DETECTION program as he interviews
Dr. Robert Bard (Cancer Imaging Radiologist) and Ret. FF and 9/11 responder Sal Banchitta. Dr. Bard presents his state-of-the-art imaging innovations to provide firefighters with some of the most advanced scanning solutions. "There are many tools out there that patients should know about. I'm pretty fortunate to have access to Dr. Bard and his program for advanced screening and I tell all my fellow firefighters about 'Getting Checked NOW!"
(See video)
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