Illustration executed by MS CoPilot, based on this Creative Commons image on Wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brain_Cancer_Regions.png

20 Jan 2026

Firefighters & brain cancer: A silent occupational threat

Firefighters face a significantly elevated risk of brain cancer, and new reporting underscores how deeply this threat is woven into the realities of the job.

A recent Firehouse analysis highlights emerging research, personal stories, and a growing push within the fire service to confront occupational exposures that silently accumulate over decades.

Based on reporting from Firehouse Magazine and associated research findings

For generations, firefighters have accepted visible dangers—flames, collapse, smoke—as part of the work. But a quieter, deadlier hazard has been stalking the profession: occupational cancer, including brain cancer, which firefighters develop at higher rates than the general population.

According to Firehouse’s reporting, firefighters are 1.31 times more likely to develop brain cancer than the public at large. The article, written by John Haseney, blends scientific data with the lived experience of firefighters who have battled the disease.

The story centers on Firefighter Jimmy Lanza, a revered FDNY veteran who served since 1979, deployed for Hurricane Katrina relief, and volunteered with multiple community organizations. After retiring, Lanza was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer and died at 71.

What Makes Brain Cancer a Firefighter Risk?

Firehouse’s reporting outlines several key factors:

Chronic exposure to carcinogens in smoke, soot, and particulates
Absorption through skin, especially when gear becomes saturated
Inhalation of toxic gases during overhaul and post‑fire operations
Long-term accumulation of contaminants in gear, apparatus, and fire stations

Research cited in the article notes that there are more than 125 types of brain cancer, and many firefighters are unaware of early symptoms or the specific risks tied to their work.