Premier Daniel Andrews now has all the evidence needed to justify introducing presumptive Cancer Legislation for firefighters in Victoria. Male firefighters face a higher risk of melanoma and prostate cancer than the general population, researchers have found. The study by Monash University in Melbourne looked into the potential health impacts on firefighters, through their exposure to hazardous materials. The Monash Study findings for male career firefighters included: • Statistically significant increase in prostate cancer • Significant increased risk of melanoma for firefighters with more than 10 years employment, with a significant increase in risk for Victorian, NSW and WA firefighters • Significantly higher risk of kidney cancer for firefighters with more than 20 years employment • Elevated risk of kidney cancer for firefighters 10-20 years employment • Significantly elevated risk of lympho-haematopoetic cancers for firefighters more than 10 years employment • A significantly higher incidence of mesothelioma in firefighters employed for more than 10 years. As the latency period for mesothelioma is 30-40 years it is expected that the rate will increase in the next 10-20 years. • High attendance at fires is directly linked to increased risk of circulatory-caused death • Suicide elevated for firefighters who completed employment by 1985. • Male breast cancer elevated for firefighters more than 20 years employment • More cases of testicular cancer than were expected • The incidence of stomach cancer was significantly raised for firefighters who had worked before 1985.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:42:26 +0000
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