BETHLEHEM, Pa. — In a first for Pennsylvania, Bethlehem firefighters are undergoing a new two-minute screening that could help detect esophageal cancer before it’s too late.
About a dozen present and retired members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735 on Thursday gathered at their union hall, 53 E. Lehigh St., for a second day of pre-cancer screenings.
“We’re learning so much more now over the past 10, 20 years of just what’s in all the smoke we’re exposed to, all the plastics nowadays,” Local 735 1st Platoon Vice President Thomas Hart said.
Hart helped arrange the testing in partnership with Lucid Diagnostics — the first case of these particular pre-cancer screenings in Pennsylvania, he said.
“We hope that other departments in the state see the initiative taken by Local 735 and the City of Bethlehem Fire Department,” Fire Chief Michael Reich said.
“Hopefully they follow our lead and it spreads out across the state.”
Leading the way
Firefighters face significantly higher risks when it comes to esophageal cancer — a 62% greater chance of developing the disease and a 39% higher risk of dying from it, according to data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
More than 80 firefighters are scheduled to get the screening in Bethlehem. At the first session on May 12, about 40 union members were tested.
By the time LehighValleyNews.com visited the site on Thursday, more than 10 additional firefighters already had participated.
The test being used — the EsoGuard from Lucid Diagnostics — detects precancerous biomarkers that can signal the early stages of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
“We hope that other departments in the state see the initiative taken by Local 735 and the City of Bethlehem Fire Department.”Bethlehem Fire Chief Michael Reich
Eric Liu, the Lucid Diagnostics clinical specialist who performed the tests, shared how the process worked.
Taken by mouth, a capsule with a tiny, ridged balloon inside is attached to a microcatheter.
That travels down to the stomach, and a nurse inflates the balloon to lightly sample the lower end of the esophagus.
The balloon then collapses back into the capsule to protect the test from dilution on the way back up and out of the patient's mouth.
Results are available within a few weeks, according to Lucid Diagnostics.
A positive test doesn’t necessarily mean there’s cancer present; it shows there are precancerous conditions, such as Barrett’s Esophagus — damage to the food-pipe lining linked to chronic reflux that results in changes to the affected cells.
The patient should have an upper endoscopy and biopsy completed for any official diagnosis from there, according to Justin Stenta, Lucid Diagnostics senior market development manager.
Just the beginning
Bethlehem Fire Department officials said that in the future, they want to continue testing for other cancer types, including lung, bladder and skin cancers, leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
Even better, they said, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s newest budget proposal calling for broader spending on these types of initiatives for first responders statewide may later see approval.
“Maybe toward the end of the year, by next year, we’ll have other tests for the other carrying cancers that we’re at risk for,” Hart said. “And this is just one way to help show the need for it.”
Local 735 President Luis Jimenez said breathing apparatuses only go so far for personnel on the scene of a fire, as the turnout gear absorbs chemicals, then is taken back to the firehouse.
“If we could save a life by doing these tests, it’s all for the better.”IAFF Local 735 President Luis Jimenez
But any testing now to get ahead of potential medical problems down the road is a must, he said.
“A test to prevent $1.3 million in treatment is a big save for the city, and also, more importantly, is a big save for the individual,” Jimenez said.
“If we could save a life by doing these tests, it’s all for the better.”
Firefighter Jonathan Ruhf said, “Early detection is key — going on 15 years on the job and countless fires and everything else.
“Hopefully the city gets on board and works with us to try to take care of their first responders.”
Are you at risk?
According to Lucid Diagnostics, any combination of three or more of these risk factors can put someone at risk of esophageal cancer:
- Chronic acid reflux/heartburn or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Male
- Over 50 years old
- White race
- Tobacco smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of Barrett’s Esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma in a first-degree relative
- Occupational or environmental exposure to smoke, fire and chemicals
Tony Facchiano, who retired from the city fire department after more than 30 years of service, said he was diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus more than two decades ago.
“There are preventative medications that can take care of it before it turns into esophageal cancer, as is obvious, because I’m still here,” Facchiano said, laughing.
“It’s important for these guys to stay up on any kind of test they can possibly get.”
