Odds of Developing Cancer Among Male and Female Volunteer Firefighters in Florida: A Case-Control Study Design

J Occup Environ Med. 2024 Oct 1;66(10):e442-e445. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003178. Epub 2024 Jun 28.

Abstract

Objective: Determine whether volunteer firefighters in Florida are at increased odds of developing cancer compared with nonfirefighters.

Methods: A case-control study design was implemented to assess the odds of developing cancer among male and female volunteer firefighters in Florida. Gender-specific age and calendar year-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

Results: Male volunteer firefighters were at increased odds for developing prostate (aOR = 1.26; 95%CI;[1.10-1.44]) and male genital cancers combined (1.22;[1.07-1.39]), while reduced odds for endocrine cancer (0.41;[0.17-1.00]), and all leukemias (0.55;[0.35-0.86]), including lymphocytic (0.48;[0.24-0.97]); and chronic lymphocytic (0.40;[0.17-0.97]) leukemias. Female volunteer firefighters were at increased odds of developing of kidney cancer (2.51;[1.29-4.91]).

Conclusions: Male volunteer firefighters are at increased odds for prostate and overall male genital cancers, while female volunteers are increased odds of kidney cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Firefighters* / statistics & numerical data
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Volunteers* / statistics & numerical data