New York’s Bravest are engaged in one of their most personal battles yet.
The FDNY will be teaming up with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network on Saturday to offer free skin cancer screenings to smoke-eating firefighters at the Randall’s Island Fire Academy.
Firefighters face the harsh reality that they are 21% more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than the general population. The data cited by the AAD.
The danger comes from absorbing or inhaling carcinogens while fighting a fire.
“The fight against cancer is deeply personal for every member of the New York City Fire Department,” Fire Commissioner Laura Cabana said in a press release.
“We know that screening and prevention works. The health and safety of our members is of utmost importance and we encourage our members to have their skin screened annually. We are pleased to be part of the Firefighter Skin Cancer Screening Initiative.”
Since launching the first screening event on Sept. 30, 2023, the FDNY and its partners have already provided free screenings to more than 300 firefighters.
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The FDNY said testing has confirmed 78 cases of possible or suspected cancer, highlighting the critical importance of continued vigilance and care.
But Saturday’s event marks the launch of the AAD’s Firefighter Skin Cancer Screening Program, a national campaign aimed at providing free skin cancer screenings to 10,000 firefighters by 2026.
At the Randalls Island Fire Academy, FDNY firefighters and top AAD dermatologists will be on hand to provide insight on spotting early symptoms of skin cancer and discuss the unique risks facing New York City’s heroes.
