For more information about Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative, click here or visit the UHealth Collective.
Miami-Dade firefighter Claudine Buzzo has been diagnosed with cancer three times over her 23-year career.
“April of 2016 I was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor on my pancreas,” Buzzo said.
In August 2024, the 53-year-old was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer. She was being treated for intraductal carcinoma in situ when a secondary tumor was found and removed during surgery. Susan Kesmodel, M.D., a breast surgical oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System, who conducted her lumpectomy, says studies show firefighters face a higher risk of developing cancer.
“This is related to occupational exposure, so particularly combustible substances creating toxic fumes, and gases, and particulates. When it was realized that there was elevated risk in firefighters, a multidisciplinary team started to look at factors that increased risk, that were associated with risk, and this is something that the Firefighter Cancer Initiative is working on,” Kesmodel said.
The Firefighter Cancer Initiative marks its 10-year anniversary this year. Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have been working with these first responders to help them better understand their risk, while implementing protective measures.
“They implemented the green buckets. After a fire, we’re going to take the bucket, fill it up with the solution, and we’re going to scrub our gear down to get all of those toxins off of our gear. The department also implemented the shower within the hour. They also implemented the wipes that they gave us. We’re wiping our necks down. We’re wiping, if we can’t run to get to the shower, at least we’re getting that off of us as quickly as we can,” Buzzo said.
In addition, firefighters now get regular health screenings.
“Early detection is truly key and can help reduce the amount of treatment that you need and improve your long-term outcome,” Kesmodel said.
Buzzo now guides her fellow firefighters about their increased cancer risk.
“We always tell them, ‘Hey, Sylvester has this program.’ The fact that they go around every single day to different departments and they put on these trainings, and they put out all this information is completely crucial for every firefighter,” Buzzo said.
FOCUSING ON YOU
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