VIDEO: Firefighters in Fort Ann got a lifesaving opportunity Wednesday to get tested for a common cancer that they may be at risk of: esophageal cancer.
Fire officials said this is the first time this type of event has been brought to Fort Ann โ a massive step for the team.
โActually, a couple years ago, we lost a member to brain cancer, which was firefighter-related. His name was Edward Sharrow,โ said Jon Lashinsky.
Lashinsky is the Fort Ann Fire Chief. He believes Wednesday’s screening is a major step for the department to ensure theyโre being protected, all while theyโre out protecting others. Dr. Bora Gumustop, a gastroenterologist with Albany Gastroenterology Consultants, said firefighters are more likely to get certain types of cancer than other people.
โThe number one cause of death for firefighters is cancer and esophageal cancer especially, is 62% higher than the average population due to the toxic chemicals theyโre exposed to during their firefighting,โ said Dr. Gumustop.
