On Wednesday, firefighters with the Raleigh Fire Department were offered screenings for esophageal precancer through a new test.
The Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association, Local 548, teamed up with Lucid Diagnostics to offer the EsoGuard DNA Test to its members.
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President Andrew Davis helped organize the screening.
"Firefighters have lower life expectancies because of the work we can do. If we can detect [cancer] early, proactively treat it, and give these firefighters longer lives, that is really important," he said.
The test uses a small pill-sized scraping device, which is swallowed and extracted within less than five minutes.
The test is sent off for DNA testing and can determine if a precancer is present. At this point, firefighters can confirm the result and undergo a curative treatment, avoiding developing one of the deadliest forms of cancer altogether.
Studies have shown, for years, that firefighters are exposed to several known cancer-causing toxins while on the job, whether it's what's burning or the chemicals they use to suppress the flames. Firefighters' latest worry is what they wear for protection. Cancer-causing PFAS or forever chemicals Carolina are utilized to make their gear water-repellent.
A spokesperson for Lucid Diagnostics said this is the first time this type of test has been offered in North Carolina.
Davis said his reason for getting the test is for his 6-month-old daughter.
"I am fortunate to come into the service when cancer is being talked about," he said. "For the older members, this education and screening wasn't around for them."
Davis said he'd like to see more departments across the state offer the test and more testing available for all firefighters.
He said there have been city initiatives in the past for pre-cancer screening, but they have not materialized.
"I hope other departments and other unions can do this for their members," he said.