Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

CancerResearchConditionsCardiacStroke

Firefighter cancer testing project extended to Manchester

by Nic Paton 24 Apr 2023
by Nic Paton 24 Apr 2023 Photo: PJR News / Alamy
Photo: PJR News / Alamy

Up to 100 firefighters in Greater Manchester will be tested this week for cancer and other health issues as a new national health monitoring research project ramps up.

The move is being led by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

In February, the FBU and UCLan joined forces to launch a study to determine how many have occupational cancers and other diseases resulting from exposure to toxic contaminants in fire, with firefighters in Tyne & Wear among the first to be tested. The aim is eventually to test 1,000 firefighters in total across the UK.

The rollout of the testing programme follows research earlier this year for the union (again carried out by UCLan) that suggested toxic contaminants in fires can be directly linked to increased rates of cancer and mental health issue.

That study concluded that instances of cancer among UK firefighters aged 35-39 are up to 323% higher than in the general population in the same age category.

The research also found that firefighters are significantly more likely to die from rare cancers, heart attacks and stroke, and several other diseases.

Firefighter cancer and health

Firefighter instructors at greater risk of infection and illness

Fifth of female firefighters experience PTSD

Firefighters exposed to extreme heat risk heart attack

Firefighters are currently not provided with regular health monitoring in the UK, despite the evidence of significant cancer and other diseases incidence and mortality rates, said the FBU.

The testing is being carried out by the UCLan’s Professor Anna Stec, a world expert in fire toxicity, and will run until Wednesday (26 April).

The 100 firefighters will provide blood and urine samples, which will be analysed for the number of biomarkers of cancers and other diseases, and toxic chemicals.

Earlier this month, a report from the Health and Safety Executive argued firefighters are regularly exposed to ‘forever’ chemicals in firefighting foam.

The results of the testing will be used to detect cancers and other diseases at the early stages, and to identify evidence linking occupational cancers with exposure to toxic fire chemicals, the FBU said.

This testing project is believed to be the first of its kind to take place for firefighters in the UK, and also follows the World Health Organization concluding that occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic.

Riccardo la Torre, FBU national officer, said: “Every one of the 100 firefighters taking part in Manchester is contributing to vital research on the urgent issue of firefighter cancer.

“The government and fire service employers have ignored firefighters and their exposures to toxic contaminants for far too long. Meanwhile, firefighters are dying far too often and far too early.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Lack of health monitoring means these cancers are caught tragically late, at much more untreatable stages. We won’t stop until every firefighter in the UK has access to regular health monitoring,” he added.

Professor Stec said: “It is widely accepted that firefighters are dying from rare cancers up to 15-20 years earlier than the general public. These cancers and other diseases are detected far too late, with low chances of recovery. It is therefore vital that measures such as health monitoring is introduced so firefighters can be properly protected.”

Nic Paton

Nic Paton is consultant editor at Personnel Today. One of the country's foremost workplace health journalists, Nic has written for Personnel Today and Occupational Health & Wellbeing since 2001, and edited the magazine from 2018.

previous post
Royal Mail deal includes 10% pay rise and profit share scheme
next post
The HR Bundle: Your one-stop guide to building a successful global HR Department

You may also like

Cancer carers feel pressure to return to work...

13 May 2025

How to help employees quit vaping before new...

22 Apr 2025

NHS urging people to check for cancer warning...

22 Apr 2025

Returning to work top concern for employees with...

15 Apr 2025

Calls growing for UK national asbestos register

4 Apr 2025

Employers failing to tell cancer carers of their...

31 Mar 2025

Bomb disposal veterans at heightened risk of bladder...

24 Mar 2025

Half of adults globally set to be obese...

3 Mar 2025

How businesses can support young people with cancer...

24 Feb 2025

Brake pad dust more toxic than diesel exhaust...

14 Feb 2025

  • 2025 Employee Communications Report PROMOTED | HR and leadership...Read more
  • The Majority of Employees Have Their Eyes on Their Next Move PROMOTED | A staggering 65%...Read more
  • Prioritising performance management: Strategies for success (webinar) WEBINAR | In today’s fast-paced...Read more
  • Self-Leadership: The Key to Successful Organisations PROMOTED | Eletive is helping businesses...Read more
  • Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out PROMOTED | International Women’s Day...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today