Abstract
Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens that may increase their risk of developing many types of occupational cancer. Many systematic reviews (SRs) have been produced with sometimes conflicting conclusions. In this overview of reviews, we aim to assess the conclusion consistency across the available systematic reviews on the cancer risk in firefighters. Literature searches were conducted in several indexed databases and grey literature to retrieve systematic reviews aiming to evaluate cancer incidence or cancer mortality in firefighters. Results from included SRs were analyzed according to the tumour site. Out of 1054 records identified by the search in the databases, a total of 11 SRs were ultimately included. The original studies (n = 104) analyzed in the SRs were published between 1959 and 2018. The results consistently reported a significant increase in the incidence of rectal, prostate, bladder and testicular cancers as well as mesothelioma and malignant melanoma in firefighters compared to the general population. The SRs also indicate that death rates from rectal cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are higher among firefighters. Consistent SR results suggest that several types of cancer may be more frequent in firefighters than in the general population.
Highlights
The results consistently reported a significant increase in the incidence of rectal, prostate, bladder and testicular cancers as well as mesothelioma and malignant melanoma in firefighters compared to the general population
Analysis of the cancer rates published in the different systematic reviews (SRs) indicated that incidence rates of rectal cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer, mesothelioma and malignant melanoma are consistently reported as higher in firefighters compared to the general population
An analysis of existing systematic reviews concerning the risk of cancer or cancer mortality in firefighters found that the incidence of rectal cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer, mesothelioma and malignant melanoma are consistently reported as significantly higher in this population compared to the general population
Summary
Res. Public Health 2021, Firefighters are exposed to many contaminants in the course of their daily duties. The results of some studies have associated exposure to hazardous substances with significant health problems such as cancers in firefighters. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2010), occupational exposure as a firefighter may be carcinogenic (Group 2B) [1]. Several original studies assessed the risk of cancer incidence or mortality in firefighters (see Appendix A). Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens in many ways: carcinogens arising from combustion, incidental to structural firefighting or arising from work as firefighter (for example, diesel exhaust) [2]. Describe the rationale for the review in the context of what is already known
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