Sima Porten, MD, discusses the need to educate on the firefighter-bladder cancer link

Firefighters face an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with the general population. In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified firefighting as a class 1 carcinogen, which included “sufficient” evidence for a link in bladder cancer.¹ While knowledge of occupational exposure does not necessarily influence treatment options, it can help explain why bladder cancer developed in the first place, Sima P. Porten, MD, MPH, explains.

In a recent interview with Urology Times®, Portendiscussed the firefighter-bladder cancer link, specifically touching on how word of mouth can help to inform and educate firefighters on risk factors and preventive strategies.

Porten is an associate professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco.

Porten began by acknowledging that there is a lack of awareness surrounding some of the signs of bladder cancer, including hematuria. Thus, knowing that firefighting is associated with bladder cancer may encourage discussions surrounding the need to get things such as hematuria evaluated.

Additionally, she explained how urologists and community members can play a role in advocating for preventive strategies for this population. Some ways to do this could be educating on the link between firefighting and bladder cancer, as well as ensuring that firefighters have adequate protective equipment.

She noted, “This is where the community can help each other in terms of making sure that we keep our firefighters safe and protected. They are risking their own lives for their job, so it's the part of the whole community to do our best to try to keep them safe.”

REFERENCE
1. Demers PA, DeMarini DM, Fent KW, et al. Carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter. Lancet Oncol. 2022;23(8):985-986. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00390-4