# 19. What Happens When Heroes Get Sick?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/smarter-than-cancer-7438264/19-what-happens-when-heroes-get-sick
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/smarter-than-cancer-7438264/19-what-happens-when-heroes-get-sick.md
Podcast: [Smarter Than Cancer](https://stenobird.com/podcast/smarter-than-cancer-7438264)
Published: 2026-06-11T04:01:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.roswellpark.org/smarterthancancer
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3bd96ff9-cf0e-4247-bbbb-8824b8feaf0a.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/smarter-than-cancer-7438264/episodes/19-what-happens-when-heroes-get-sick
Duration seconds: 1541

## Resource

First responders spend their careers running toward danger to protect their communities. The risks they face in the moment are obvious: raging fires, smoke inhalation, collapsing buildings. But another danger has only come into sharper focus in recent years: cancer. Researchers now know that repeated exposure to smoke, toxic chemicals, and contaminated gear can increase cancer risk. In fact, cancer is now the leading cause of death among retired firefighters. In this episode, Hajar and David learn about the growing evidence behind firefighter cancer risk, what's being done to better understand it, and how fire departments are working to make the profession safer for future generations. Keep up with all things Smarter Than Cancer and let us know what you think of the show at https://www.roswellpark.org/smarterthancancer

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## Transcript

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