The Department of Fire Services is inviting active and retired Lynn and Worcester area firefighters to free skin cancer screenings this month.
“Cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said in a press release. “Melanoma and other skin cancers are the second-leading type of cancer among male and female firefighters. Awareness, prevention, and early detection screenings like these are crucial to successful outcomes for firefighters and their families. Whether you’re a career firefighter, on a call/volunteer department, or retired – please, come out and get screened at one of these free sessions.”
Volunteer dermatologists from UMass Memorial Medical Center will be screening firefighters from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hahnemann Campus, located at 281 Lincoln St. in Worcester on Nov. 16. Walk-ins are welcome, but the Department of Fire Services encourages firefighters to register through the Department of Fire Services’ Learning Management System.
“We’re looking forward to a very strong turnout from the Worcester Fire Department, and I hope our neighboring departments will join us,” Worcester Fire Chief Martin Dyer said in the release. “Occupational cancer has claimed too many firefighters’ lives. Put your health and safety first and get screened.”
Dr. Christine Kannler, whose firefighter brother, Peter, died from occupational cancer at age 37, will be partnering with the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy to offer screenings on Nov. 18 and Dec. 2 at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“On behalf of the Lynn Fire Department, I want to urge all our brother and sister firefighters in the area to come out and get screened,” Lynn Fire Chief Daniel Sullivan said in the release. “We’re especially encouraging retirees to attend. Do it for yourself, do it for your family, but just do it – the worst cancer diagnosis is a late one.”
Firefighters are more likely to develop cancer than the public they protect, develop it earlier in life, and die as a result, according to the release.
“These screenings are in place to protect firefighters from a serious occupational hazard,” Davine said in the release. “Don’t take a chance with cancer. Take advantage of our program today.”
Firefighters may also be eligible for free chest CT scans, PSA blood tests, mammograms, and ultrasounds and can find more information on the Department of Fire Services website.
