Odds of developing cancer among male and female volunteer firefighters in Florida: A case-control study design.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether volunteer firefighters in Florida are at increased odds of developing cancer compared to non-firefighters. METHODS: A case-control study design was implemented to assess the odds of developing cancer among male and female volunteer firefighters in Florida. Gender-specific age and calendar year-adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Male volunteer firefighters were at increased odds for developing prostate (aOR = 1.26; 95%CI;[1.10- 1.44]) and male genital cancers combined (1.22;[1.07-1.39]), while reduced odds for endocrine cancer (0.41;[0.17-1.00]), and all leukemias (0.55;[0.35-0.86]), including lymphocytic (0.48;[0.24-0.97]); and chronic lymphocytic (0.40;[0.17-0.97]) leukemias. Female volunteer firefighters were at increased odds of developing of kidney cancer (2.51;[1.29-4.91]). CONCLUSIONS: Male volunteer firefighters are at increased odds for prostate and overall male genital cancers, while female volunteers are increased odds of kidney cancer.