The Oak Park Fire Department has enrolled in a long-term University of Illinois research project examining how firefighting affects cancer risk, joining a statewide cohort that now includes more than 100 Illinois departments.
Participating firefighters give blood and urine samples, complete a baseline health questionnaire and an annual cancer survey, and log their exposures after incidents so researchers can connect specific occupational exposures to later health outcomes. Participation is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time. The study is designed to follow participants for up to 30 years.
