VIDEO: Firefighters in Lowell are getting tested for one of the biggest hazards of the job. The Lowell Fire Department hosted an event on Tuesday to screen firefighters for esophageal cancer. Partnering with Dr. Geetanali Akerkar from Gastro Health Chelmsford, small, pill-sized devices are swallowed by firefighters and extracted in around five minutes. They are then shipped off for testing. The International Association of Firefighters said 72% of off-duty deaths are due to occupational cancer. Firefighters said the testing drive will continue on Thursday.
