B.C. department educates about cancer risks

Maria Church  April 5, 2016  

April 5, 2016 - The Surrey Fire Service in British Columbia has created a brochure to teach firefighters what they can do to reduce their risks for cancer.

The brochure was developed to illustrate a report on firefighters and cancer co-authored by Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis, as well as Larry Thomas, deputy fire chief of operations for the City of Surrey, Dr. Kenneth Kunz and Martha Dow, Ph.D., for the University of the Fraser Valley.

“The risks (of cancer) are higher,” Garis said, “but we also know that there are things you can do to alleviate the risks as well."

The brochure lists the importance of exercise, diet, sleep, medical screening and safety procedures on the job, among other things.

The department released the brochure internally in February, but Garis said the goal is for other departments to use it as well. 

Access the brochure online at cjr.ufv.ca/firefighters-cancer/