Firefighters dying in record numbers from cancer - report

Posted 26 May '19 under National

Firefighters are reportedly dying in record numbers.

They are now pushing for the main killer, cancer, to be recognised as connected to their occupation so they don’t have to fight for ACC compensation.

Around a dozen cancers have been linked to their profession with international research showing they have 102 per cent greater risk of developing testicular cancer, a 28 percent greater risk of prostate cancer and 32 percent of brain cancer.

This week they took to Parliament in an effort to have their high rate of cancer acknowledged.

Alex Forrest is a Canadian firefighter and expert on firefighters occupational cancers.He has been in the country this week to assist the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.

Alex joined The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin to share his experience working as a firefighter.

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