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OSLO, Norway – While previous research suggested a higher incidence of prostate cancer among firefighters, a new study has found limited evidence connecting the profession directly to increased risk. The research, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, investigated the potential link between exposure to smoke and gases during firefighting and the development of prostate cancer.
Researchers from the University of Oslo (UiO) and the Cancer Registry of Norway analyzed data from 4,251 firefighters, of whom 268 were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The study aimed to determine if factors such as the duration of firefighting service, exposure to smoke, gases, and chemicals at fire sites, influenced the risk.
“When we compared the incidence of prostate cancer among those who had been most involved with firefighting with those who had been the least involved, we found little evidence of a connection between firefighting and the risk of getting prostate cancer,” stated Niki Marjerrison, a researcher in the Department of Biostatistics at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, UiO.
The study acknowledged the complexities of researching occupational cancer risks, particularly with prostate cancer. Unlike lung cancer, where over 30 carcinogenic agents are identified, prostate cancer lacks definitively classified carcinogens by the World Health Organization’s IARC.
A significant factor considered was the introduction of PSA testing in the 1990s. The researchers noted that increased PSA testing could have led to the detection of more prostate cancer cases, including those that might not have progressed to aggressive forms. To address this, the study separately analyzed aggressive cases, but the limited number (61) provided insufficient statistical evidence for a conclusive link.
“The researchers found that firefighters were younger and more often had cancers with better prognostic factors (less aggressive). This suggests more frequent PSA testing and increased diagnoses. But information on PSA testing was not available for each individual firefighter, so this could not be controlled for directly in the analyses.” Stated the report.
Another difficulty highlighted was the diverse and unpredictable nature of firefighters’ work, making it challenging to accurately measure specific exposures during incidents. While the team developed indicators for exposure, they found no correlation between increasing indicator values and prostate cancer risk.
The study is part of a decade-long research effort into cancer among Norwegian firefighters. A comprehensive report summarizing these studies is forthcoming from Marjerrison and colleagues at UiO and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the provided research and should not be interpreted as medical advice. The study presents limited evidence of a direct link between firefighting and prostate cancer. Further research may yield different results. Individuals with concerns about prostate cancer risk should consult with a healthcare professional.
