Study Notes Higher Rates of Cancer Among 9/11 Firefighters

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Available to Comment

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Sep 02, 2011, 03:58 ET

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- News reports today describe a study in The Lancet linking modestly higher rates of cancer to firefighters who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center (8927 men), as compared to their unexposed colleagues (926 men).

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This report may be of interest to some of our constituents in the blood cancer community.

The study reports somewhat higher rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), myeloma and leukemia in the exposed cohort, relative to cancer rates in a reference U.S. population matched for age, race and ethnic origin. NHL cases were also higher in exposed (20) versus non-exposed (9) firefighters. Leukemia cases were not significantly higher in exposed (9) relative to non-exposed (7) firefighters, and this comparison could not be made for myeloma cases as none were found in the non-exposed group.

In considering explanations for stronger associations of exposures with NHL, the researchers mentioned that particularly intense exposures could trigger chronic inflammation, which has been theorized to contribute to the development of certain cancers, including NHL.

The authors of the study appropriately urge caution in interpreting the data, owing to various factors that might have confounded the findings. They mention that the findings should especially not be generalized to other individuals who were present at the World Trade Center during or immediately after the attacks as the firefighters experienced uniquely intense exposures. Additional study and continued follow-up are clearly needed.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.LLS.org.

Contact:
Andrea Greif
(914) 821-8958
[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society