Firefighter prostate cancer

A 2017 Government published survey documented 30% of deaths in males in 2015 were caused by cancer, with prostate cancer being within the top ten causes of all deaths in males within the same period.

In 2016 Cancer Research statistics recorded 11,631 deaths from prostate cancer and 47,151 new cases recorded.

1 in 6 males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer within their lifetime. The likelihood of contracting prostate cancer if you are a black male increases to 1 in 4.

In March 2018 the Home Office produced statistics recorded 40,500 full time equivalent Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) personnel in England, of which 32,340 were firefighters, 84.1% of the total workforce being male and 94.3% of the total number of firefighters being male.

Conference recognises that with the overwhelming majority of the FRS workforce in England, currently male and statistics showing that approximately 5,676 FRS personnel will contract prostate cancer within their lifetime, this is a foreseeable significant risk for a large proportion of our membership.

Therefore we call upon the Executive Council to conduct research and produce a best practice guidance document regarding prostate cancer, reducing the risks and personal checks.

Conference also instructs the Executive Council to consider opening negotiations at the NJC with a view to making voluntary prostate cancer testing part of the FRS periodical medical. In doing so, early detection will allow early treatment, thus reducing the mortality rate.