CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Fire Department announced plans to begin annual cancer screenings for its firefighters, citing increased cancer risks identified in recent national studies.
The proposal, which outlines a two-year contract for early detection testing, will be presented to the Corpus Christi City Council for approval.
The initiative follows findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which show firefighters face a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from the disease compared to the general U.S. population.
The data comes from the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer and a study conducted by the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which analyzed health information from nearly 30,000 firefighters in major cities.
If approved, the department will use the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test, developed by GRAIL, Inc., which is capable of identifying signals associated with more than 50 types of cancer.
Officials say the screenings aim to detect cancer in its early stages, improving the likelihood of successful treatment and long-term health outcomes.
Fire Chief Robert Rocha said the proposal is part of a broader health and wellness program designed to support firefighter safety.
“Our firefighters face unique occupational hazards every day. This initiative is about early detection and prevention,” Rocha stated in a department release.
The screenings will supplement the Corpus Christi Firefighters CARE initiative, which promotes cancer awareness and encourages preventive health practices among department personnel and the broader community.
City officials have not announced when a vote on the proposal will take place.