Why Firefighters Deserve More Than the Bare Minimum When It comes to Cancer Prevention

As a functional medicine chiropractic physician, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most resilient and selfless individuals - firefighters. I also have several firefighters and other first responders in the family. Men and women who routinely put their lives on the line for the sake of others. But as heroic as this profession is, there’s a hidden threat that continues to claim far too many lives: cancer.

In the fire service, the risk of cancer is more than just a possibility - it’s a looming reality that most firefighters will think about at some point in their careers. From the beginning, you are told to wear your SCBA, avoid smoking, and stay upwind at hazardous incidents. You are trained to stay strong - physically and mentally. And while these are foundational habits, they barely scratch the surface of what is truly needed to prevent cancer and promote long-term wellness in the fire service.

Annual Physicals: A Missed Opportunity

In most departments, annual physicals are standard procedure. While well-intentioned, these physicals often only include the basics: ✅ CBC (Complete Blood Count), ✅ CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel), and ✅ cholesterol screening. While these tests are important, they are simply not enough.

What’s missing? ❌ Early detection. ❌Inflammatory markers. ❌Nutrient deficiencies. ❌Thyroid function. ❌Iron levels. ❌Hormonal imbalances.

Functional medicine looks deeper-often uncovering red flags that traditional labs miss entirely.

And here is the heartbreaking reality: too often, when a firefighter is diagnosed with cancer, it’s already stage 4. It’s advanced. It’s aggressive. And the path forward is full of grueling treatments - chemotherapy, radiation, and immune system compromise. And for many, it’s tragically too late.

This is not due to laziness or avoidance. It’s because the system we’ve been relying on isn’t doing enough.

We Need to Flip the Script

The current approach to firefighter health is reactive. Functional medicine is proactive. It asks: How can we prevent this in the first place? Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear or disease to develop, we identify patterns and risk factors early - and act on them.

Firefighters need more comprehensive care. Not just blood tests, but guidance. Support. A health strategy that includes:

• Advanced Lab Testing: Cancer markers, inflammation levels (like hs-CRP), hormone panels, and detox function.

• Nutritional Optimization: Identifying deficiencies and using food and targeted supplements to build cellular resilience.

• Weight Management: Sustaining a healthy weight is important to all aspects of our health. Weight loss can be multi-factorial and guidance is key.

• Lifestyle & Sleep Coaching: Sleep is on of the most powerful cancer-prevention tools we have. Yet it’s often neglected, especially in shift work.

• Stress & Mental Health Support: Chronic stress is a silent killer. Addressing PTSD, anxiety, and burnout is just as important as physical health.

• Detoxification Support: Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens more than most. Supporting the liver, lymph, and kidneys is critical.

• Anti-inflammatory Protocols: Inflammation is at the root of nearly every chronic disease, including cancer. Reducing it is non-negotiable.

The Fire Service Needs a New Standard of Care

It’s time to stop accepting the “same old song and dance” when it comes to firefighter health. We need to stop leaving our health decisions up to municipalities with limited resources or outdated protocols. Instead, we need advocates. Practitioners who understand the risks, the lifestyle, and the stakes - and who can help build a proactive strategy for longevity.

If you’re in the fire service, you deserve more than basic labs and generic advice. You deserve a personalized health plan. You deserve the tools to not just survive your career - but thrive through it and long after retirement.

If this resonates with you or someone you care about, I invite you to start the conversation. Let’s rethink what firefighter wellness really looks like - and finally give our heroes the level of care they’ve earned.

Contact Dr. Jackie at Life Aligned Integrative Health for more information or to schedule a Functional Medicine Consultation.