Wildfire advocates for more inclusive cancer coverage for employees

In 2022, Congress relaxed access for wildland firefighters to workers’ compensation for a number of serious diseases, including several forms of cancer. But advocates are pushing for broader, more inclusive coverage for cancers that affect women.

The reform was celebrated by current and former firefighters such as Riva Dunca, vice president of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.

“It was a big deal,” she said. “But it was a pretty monumental change.”

But she wasn’t the only one who noticed what wasn’t there list of diseases now believed to be work-related: ovarian, cervical and other cancers that mainly affect women, some of which 16% of federal firefighters.

“We certainly want to celebrate how far we’ve come, but we don’t want to leave anyone behind,” she said. “And we feel like this leaves women behind.”

Grassroots was one of several groups that recently signed up letter to the Department of Labor requesting that they “expand the official list of presumptively covered cancers to include all breast, ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers.”

“Including these cancers under existing presumptive coverage policies would ensure that all federal wildland firefighters, regardless of gender, receive equal protection and support,” the letter continued. “This adjustment is not just a matter of fairness; it is consistent with our national values, and it further demonstrates the current administration’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of women who serve in this demanding and dangerous field.”

In response to questions from the news channel The GuardianThe Department of Labor said there were “no new published articles supporting the suspicion that fire protection and suppression activities cause an increased risk of reproductive cancer in women,” but said the agency would continue to monitor the research.

Duncan said she was “extremely disappointed” by the response, but added that she and other advocates have a “really good” working relationship with the department.

This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a partnership between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations throughout region . Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Society for Public Broadcasting.