[Cancer risk in firefighters].

INTRODUCTION

the International Agency for Research on Cancer included the occupational and environmental exposure of firefighters, in the list of carcinogens for humans.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A scoping review of the available literature on the risk of cancer in firefighters was carried out.

RESULTS

It has been documented that firefighters are potentially exposed, in all types of fire emergencies, to a variety of toxic and carcinogenic substances. In several meta-analyses and systematic reviews, associations were found between firefighting and some types of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying associations between firefighters' occupational exposures and cancer risk is a challenging task mainly due to the multifactorial origin of cancer. The best way to reduce exposure is to implement preventative measures.