GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Firefighters risk their lives daily for communities they serve, even if it means compromising their own physical health. They’re exposed to hundreds of different chemicals on the job, some of which are known or suspected to cause cancer.

What You Need To Know

  • Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters according to the Center for Disesase Control 

  • The Georgetown Fire Department is offering a mult-cancer, blood draw that detects 50 cancers called a Galleri test

  • First 20 tests at Georgetown Fire Dept are for anyone with 10 years of service or at least 40 years old and retirees

  • The department hopes to make these tests a regular screening

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters.

That’s why Georgetown Fire Department is now offering the Galleri test to eligible firefighters and retirees. Chief Tim Thompson said it’s too common for firefighters to develop cancer from their jobs.

“We have a retiree now that is battling cancer, and I think this spurred that on and we wanted to make sure we could try to figure out ways to try to if — God forbid — someone did have cancer that we can catch it early,” Thompson said.

The test, which is a simple blood draw, can detect over 50 types of cancer even in early stages.

“Our hope is that we do not have anybody that comes back positive, but if that is the case, we’ll work with them and their families to make sure they have everything they need,” Thompson said.

Thompson said Wednesday’s first 20 tests are for anyone with 10 years of service or at least 40 years old who is active in the department or a retiree.

“That’s going to cover the exposures they’ve dealt with and it’s also going to cover that age where you’re more susceptible to having cancer,” Thompson said.

According to the National Cancer Institute, over 600,000 people are estimated to die from cancer this year, but catching it early can prevent it from spreading and result in a higher probability of a successful treatment.

“While we’re saving many lives with colon cancer, we’re still seeing the same number of people with liver cancer and all these other cancers that either don’t have screenings primarily or do and people aren’t complying with them,” said Senior Medical Director at Grail LLC Dr. Whitney Jones. “So this really is the opportunity to take the concept of early detection and prevention and expand it to almost all cancers,” she explained.

Jones said the Galleri test detects fragments of DNA in the blood that have been shed by cancer cells and if cancer is present, can reveal the source of the signal in the body.

“Each of your cells has the same DNA in the nucleus as we all remember from school, but what makes your liver, heart and your lungs so different are these patterns of methylation,” Jones said. “These cells leak small amounts of DNA in the blood that are methylating, carrying these tags that then artificial intelligence can utilize to identify not only is there cancer but where it’s coming from.”

According to Jones, multiple fire departments are using the Galleri test across the country.

Thompson hopes to make this a regular screening.

“The retirees coming in, we had several that are actually paying for this. Our hope and our goal is we’re going to be able to figure out ways down the line to be able to pay for our retirees. We’re already thinking of fundraising ideas, grants,” Thompson said.

Thompson thanked the mayor and council for approving the funding for the tests and it’s already in the budget for next year.

In 2020, Georgetown Fire Department Battalion Chief Johnnie Jacobs passed away due to a rare lung disease caused by smoke and chemical inhalation. Thompson said his mentor would be pleased with what the department is doing.

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