HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Products in homes were once made of mostly natural fibers like wood and cotton, but now more things are made of synthetics.

Plastics put off more smoke and carcinogens, exposing firefighters and first responders to various chemicals and increasing their risk for cancer.

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center recently held an event with first responders at the Highland Heights Fire Department to screen them for 50 types of cancer.

Assistant Fire Chief Bill Bernhard lined up to get his blood drawn for the test.

“The waiting game begins, and the anxiety,” Bernhard said.

His results will take two to three weeks to come back.

The “Galleri” test is an early detection blood test designed to screen for more than 50 types of cancer, including many without recommended screenings like colon and breast cancer.

“Talking to everyone who’s done the blood draw or is going to have the blood draw is just a little nervous,” he said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters with research showing they are 9% more likely to be diagnosed and at a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer.

“It’s especially important for our first responders who are exposed in the daily workflow to chemicals and carcinogens that increase their lifetime risk of getting cancer,” said Dr. Jordan Winter, Chief Surgical Oncologist at University Hospitals.

Winter said the test is not detecting for the risk of cancer but for the presence.

“If we can detect any cancer early enough, we can still cure it,” he said.

The hospital is offering the test to first responders throughout northeast Ohio.

The early detection blood test can potentially detect cancer before symptoms appear and cancer has spread.

“When we go in to fight a fire, not only are we worried about the heat of fire, but when we come out, we’re worried about the carcinogens on our gear,” Bernhard said.

The fire department tries to mitigate the concern by scrubbing off before taking off their gear. They have dedicated cleaners and brushes and wash off immediately after working a structure fire. Then they shower back at the station.

“We take as hot as hot as shower as we can stand,” Bernhard said.

Firefighters’ lockers at the station are now enclosed to prevent fumes from work trucks from contaminating their clean gear.

Despite the risks, Bernhard said he loves what he does. He said getting a blood test was less fun.

“That was the worst part,” he laughs as he pulled off his bandage.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article misidentified University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. This has been corrected. (June 6, 2024).