January dedicated as fire fighter cancer awareness month

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Occupational cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters, surpassing heart disease.

In the month of January, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network are raising awareness committing to reversing this trend to save more firefighter lives.

“Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for more than 74% of the line-of-duty deaths added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall of Honor each year,” says IAFF General President Edward Kelly.

And local fire departments within Yuma County are doing their part in preventing this horrible disease among firefighters.

Samantha Byrd will have more on what prevention measures local fire departments are taking at 5 and 6.