In 2022, Congress access for wildland firefighters to workers鈥� compensation for a number of serious diseases, including several cancers. But advocates are pushing for broader, more inclusive coverage for cancers affecting women.
The reform was celebrated by current and former firefighters like Riva Dunca, vice president of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.
鈥淚t was a big deal,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut it was a pretty monumental change.鈥�
But she wasn鈥檛 alone in noticing what wasn鈥檛 in the of diseases now presumed to be work-related: ovarian, cervical and other cancers that largely affect women, who represent some of federal firefighters.
鈥淲e definitely want to celebrate how far we've come, but we don't want to leave anybody behind,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd we feel like this leaves women behind.鈥�
Grassroots was one of several groups that signed onto a recent to the Department of Labor asking that they 鈥渆xpand the official list of presumptive covered cancers to include all breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.鈥�
鈥淚ncluding these cancers under the existing presumptive coverage policy would ensure that all federal wildland firefighters, regardless of gender, receive equal protection and support,鈥� the letter continued. 鈥淭his adjustment is not only a matter of equity; it鈥檚 in alignment with our national values, and it further demonstrates the current administration's commitment to safeguard the health and well-being of women who serve in this demanding and dangerous field.鈥�
In response to questions from the news outlet the , the Labor department said there were 鈥渘o new published papers to support the presumption that fire protection and suppression activities cause an increased risk of female reproductive cancers,鈥� but did say the agency would continue monitoring research.
Duncan said she was 鈥渆xtremely disappointed鈥� by the response, but added that she and other advocates have a 鈥渞eally good鈥� working relationship with the department.
This story was produced by the Mountain West 暗黑爆料 Bureau, a collaboration 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 across the region. Funding for the Mountain West 暗黑爆料 Bureau is provided in part by the .