Study: Indiana Firefighters At Much Higher Risk Of Cancer Death

An IUPUI study compares firefighter deaths in Indiana between 1985 and 2013.

File photo.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana firefighters are significantly more likely to die of cancer than non-firefighters.

That’s the finding of a study from the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI.

Of 2,818 Hoosier firefighters who died between 1985 and 2013, nearly a third of them died from malignant cancers, according to the research findings published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. That’s a 20 percent increase compared to non-firefighters.

"Firefighters are exposed to toxic agents, increasing their risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease," said doctor candidate and research scientist Carolyn Muegge. "We examined the odds of cancer and cardiovascular mortality of firefighters relative to a matched group of non‐firefighters from the general population."

Heart disease was the second leading cause of firefighters' deaths, accounting for 824, or 29.2 percent – no different from deaths of non-firefighters.

Cancer surpassed cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of Indiana firefighter deaths in 1995.

The study suggests the cancer and heart disease findings underscore the need for programs and policies for fighters aimed at reducing the diseases.

More from Local News


Events

Heavy Deputy Presence Reported in Union for Shots Fired

All residents in the surrounding areas within Triple Crown should avoid the area.

Overnight Rolling Roadblocks Tonight on I-71/75 Northbound in Boone County

Crews will be completing a pothole patching project overnight.

UPDATE: All Lanes Reopen on I-71 Southbound in Carroll County

An accident involving a fuel spill occurred near the Carroll/Gallatin county line.

Local Sports Report - June 9, 2025

The IHSAA Boys Golf State Tournament continued on Monday.

Longtime Conner HS Football Coach Passes Away Unexpectedly

Our condolences to the Trosper family and the Conner HS community.

On Air

Your Hometown Radio Station playing
Patty Loveless - I'm That Kind Of Girl

Ty Myers Ends of the Earth 4:34
Sara Evans Perfect 4:29
Alabama Lady Down on Love 4:25
Kenny Chesney The Good Stuff 4:22