Firefighter Cancer Initiative

International Firefighter's Day

Pictured: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Fight For Air Climb 2017 (March 2017)

In honor of International Firefighter's Day, observed on May 4th, we would like to express our gratitude to our friends in the fire service for their ongoing commitment to serving others.

Your passion, strength, and resilience continues to motivate and inspire us. Thank you for your dedication and for working with us as we learn how we can better protect you.

PBDE & Thyroid Function Study

Dr. Natasha Schaefer Solle and Dr. Sabina Casula recently launched a study which aims to examine the association between polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), a compound used in flame retardants, and thyroid function in a sample of active South Florida firefighters.

Drs. Solle, Casula and the FCI research team worked with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and City of Miami Fire Rescue to engage and screen firefighters. This month, the study team completed the data collection process and met its goal of completing 100 thyroid screenings and blood collections for PBDE screenings.

AERIAL Study Update

Members of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Retiree Association

In last month's edition of the FCI newsletter, we announced the launch of the Advancing Epidemiology of Retired fIrefighters Aging Longitudinally Pilot Study, also known as AERIAL. The study seeks to better understand what cancers are diagnosed during retirement among previously active combat firefighters and what occupational exposures during active employment and/or hygiene factors led to cancers.

Today, we are happy to report that the AERIAL team, led by Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez, has met it's goal to collect 100 surveys from South Florida firefighters who are retired or are in the DROP zone. This was accomplished with the help of our partners at the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Retiree Association and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. With surveys now complete, the research team can begin to analyze the data collected.

Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative

On Friday, May 26th, 2017, FCI investigators Dr. Erin Kobetz and Dr. Natasha Schaefer Solle presented on the Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative (FFSHC) North Florida Region meeting.

The collaborative focuses on improving the safety and health of Florida firefighters. As noted in the FFSHC mission statement, they do this "by providing education, training and sharing of best practices to minimize risks and exposure." FCI investigators have also participated in collaborative events held in the South Florida and Central Florida regions and continue to work closely with the group to address this very important issue.

INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE FIREFIGHTER CANCER INITIATIVE?
Visit sylvester.org/firefighters to find out how your department can get involved, request a speaker for your event, or make a donation.

For questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the newsletter, please email firefighterstudy@miami.edu

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