Sponsored by
A new study has reinforced previous research linking firefighting with cancer development. The study, published in Cancer, showed that glioma tumors in some firefighters exhibited a unique genetic signature associated with exposure to haloalkanes, chemicals found in flame retardants and fire extinguishants. The research compared tumors from firefighters and non-firefighters, showing more frequent haloalkane-related mutations in the firefighters' tumors. While the study is small, it suggests environmental chemicals may play a role in glioma development.