CDC: Firefighter Cancer Registry Now Largest in US | CDC Newsroom

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today, February 10, 2026, that its National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer has reached a significant milestone: over 40,000 firefighters nationwide have enrolled. This makes the NFR the largest cohort of firefighters in the nation dedicated to understanding and ultimately reducing the risk of occupational cancer within the fire service.

Firefighting inherently exposes individuals to a range of hazardous substances. Smoke, toxic chemicals released during fires, and combustion byproducts are all part of the job, increasing firefighters’ risk of developing certain cancers. Recognizing this elevated risk, Congress directed the CDC to establish the NFR for Cancer, led by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The registry isn’t simply a count of cancer diagnoses. it’s a comprehensive effort to gather detailed work history information from firefighters and link it with state cancer registries. This linkage is crucial for improving our understanding of the specific occupational factors that contribute to cancer risk and for developing targeted prevention strategies.

“This milestone represents more than just numbers,” stated Kenny Fent, Ph.D., CIH, NFR Team Lead. “It demonstrates the fire service’s unwavering commitment to understanding and reducing work-related cancer. Every firefighter who joins the NFR plays a vital role in advancing knowledge to help protect the health of all who serve.”

The NFR is open to all U.S. Firefighters, regardless of their employment status – career or volunteer – their activity level – active or retired – or their cancer status – diagnosed or not. Firefighters of all specialties are encouraged to participate.

Understanding the Increased Cancer Risk in Firefighters

The heightened cancer risk among firefighters isn’t a new discovery. Studies have consistently shown a correlation between firefighting and increased rates of specific cancers. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) highlights that firefighters face a greater risk due to exposure to toxic smoke, combustion byproducts, and chemicals encountered on nearly every call. Increasingly, firefighters are also responding to large-scale disasters like floods and wildfires, which introduce additional exposure to cancer-causing substances.

While the exact mechanisms linking these exposures to cancer development are still being investigated, the NFR aims to provide the data needed to clarify these connections. By tracking cancer diagnoses, comparing risks across different groups of firefighters, and evaluating the impact of various exposures – including those during disaster responses – researchers hope to identify specific risk factors and develop effective interventions.

How the National Firefighter Registry Works

The NFR functions as a voluntary registry, meaning participation is not mandatory. However, the IAFF strongly encourages all firefighters to enroll. The registry collects detailed information about a firefighter’s work history, including the types of calls they respond to, the duration of their career, and the protective equipment they use. This information is then linked, with appropriate privacy safeguards, to state cancer registries to track cancer diagnoses over time.

The data collected will be used to:

• Track cancer diagnoses, including rare types, among firefighters across the U.S.
• Compare cancer risk among different groups of firefighters (e.g., those responding to different types of calls, those using different protective equipment).
• Evaluate how exposures relate to cancer risk.
• Examine how control interventions (e.g., improved cleaning of equipment, enhanced personal protective equipment) relate to cancer risk.
• Measure whether cancer risks are changing over time.

What This Means for Firefighter Health

The expansion of the NFR to over 40,000 participants represents a significant step forward in protecting the health of firefighters. The larger the cohort, the more statistically powerful the data will be, allowing researchers to identify subtle but important risk factors and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies.

the goal of the NFR is to provide the evidence needed to implement effective measures to reduce cancer risk in the fire service. This could include improvements in protective equipment, changes in firefighting tactics, and enhanced training on cancer prevention. The registry is a vital tool in ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to protecting communities are also protected from the long-term health consequences of their service.

Firefighters interested in learning more about the NFR or enrolling can find additional information here and can join the registry here.