Cancer accounts for more than 86 per cent of all duty-related deaths among Canadian firefighters.
A recent study by the National Institute of Health and Safety indicates that firefighters face a nine per cent higher risk of cancer diagnosis and a 14 per cent higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general population.
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says last June, an Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of firefighter cancers was passed.
Health Canada is now developing a framework to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting, with the goal of improving access for firefighters to cancer prevention and treatment.
This month is the first ever Firefighter Cancer Awareness month.