Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

The Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research (CFREHR) has partnered with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) and DetecTogether in a groundbreaking cancer prevention initiative, sponsored by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

FCSN is the leading organization within the fire service addressing challenges related to cancer diagnosis and care for firefighters. They are active on a national level in advocating a focus on cancer prevention, early intervention, and treatment. 

Detecting cancer early significantly improves a person’s chance of survival and can make treatment less invasive and expensive.  That is why DetecTogether, a non-profit organization, created 3 Steps Detect, a life-saving early cancer detection program.  3 Steps Detect teaches firefighters actionable steps to baseline their health, to recognize health changes that could be signs of cancer, and gives them a timeframe and plan for accessing healthcare.  Under the direction of medical and fire service experts, DetecTogether developed a free online education program, as well as many impactful health resources for our nation’s firefighters.

The goals of this project are to reduce firefighter cancer mortality by compiling the latest information about firefighters’ cancer risks, highlighting prevention efforts beyond typical fire ground behaviors, raising awareness about early detection and early warning signs, and augmenting our existing network and training resources.