This bill mandates the Department of Defense to provide comprehensive cancer screenings and prevention services to its firefighters, addressing cancers with higher risks or occurrences in this profession.
Don Bacon
Representative
NE-2
The Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Defense to provide comprehensive cancer screenings and related services to its firefighters as part of their annual health assessments. These screenings include those for breast, colon, and prostate cancer, as well as screenings for any other cancers identified as having a higher risk among firefighters. The Act requires documentation of testing rates and results to identify cancer trends, while protecting individual privacy. Data may be shared with the CDC to improve understanding of cancer occurrences among firefighters.
New Bill Mandates Cancer Screenings for DoD Firefighters: Focus on Early Detection for Breast, Colon, and Prostate Cancers
This legislation, the Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025, directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to step up its health game for its firefighters. The core idea is to provide specific medical testing aimed at catching certain cancers early during firefighters' required annual health assessments. Think of it as adding crucial diagnostic tools to the yearly check-up for those facing unique occupational risks.
What's on the Checklist?
The bill gets specific about the screenings DoD needs to offer. For female firefighters, this means mammograms starting at age 40 (biannually) and moving to annually at 50. For colon cancer, firefighters 40 and older will get information on stool-based blood tests, while those 45 and up will be offered visual exams or stool-based tests at regular intervals. Male firefighters 50 and older (or 40+ if considered high-risk, like African American men or those with a family history) will be informed about prostate cancer screenings and offered prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests annually or as needed. The bill also includes a provision for screening for any other cancers the CDC identifies as having a higher risk among firefighters. Importantly, while these services must be offered, individual firefighters have the right to opt out.
Beyond the Exam Room: Data for Prevention
This isn't just about individual tests; it's also about understanding the bigger picture. The DoD is required to document how many firefighters accept these screenings and what the results are. The goal, according to the text, is to identify cancer trends within this group. This data can be analyzed, but only after personally identifiable information is removed to protect privacy. Furthermore, the Secretary of Defense is authorized to share this anonymized data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to contribute to a broader understanding of cancer occurrences among firefighters nationwide. The bill specifies that testing procedures should follow established consensus technical standards, ensuring a level of quality and consistency.