ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The American Academy of Dermatology, Rochester Regional Health, and Rochester firefighters teamed up to offer a free skin cancer screening at the Union Hall Saturday. A few hundred firefighters attended to be checked by dermatologists.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, data shows firefighters are at an increased risk and are more likely to die of skin cancer. However, it is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early.
“Firefighting is a group one carcinogen. We’re in the same group with smoking and chemical exposure. So our occupation alone is an increased chance of getting cancer,” Matt Murphy of Rochester Firefighters Local IAFF 1071 said.
Dr. Gian Vinelli a skin cancer surgeon at Rochester Regional Health, said while most people get skin cancer later in life, firefighters are typically diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 49.
“They have about a 21% increase risk of developing melanoma—one of the worst skin cancers,” said Vinelli. “If we can potentially catch some today by doing this free skin cancer screening, we can get them treated and back in the office and take care of them before it becomes a problem.”
Saturday’s event is part of a nationwide effort to provide free screenings to 10,000 firefighters by the end of the year.
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