Perceptions of work-related health and cancer risks among women firefighters

Abstract

Objectives: We use a qualitative method to gain further insight into women firefighters' experiences, perceptions of cancer, health, and safety risks in the fire service. Methods: We conducted six focus groups with U.S. women firefighters. Participants engaged in a 60 to 75-minute, semi-structured discussion and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to inductively create themes. Data collection concluded when saturation was met. Results: Forty-nine women firefighters participated. Qualitative results indicated the main health concerns include: occupational cancer risks including, risks related to hazardous exposures, sleep disruption and stress; and women's health concerns including, cancer, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and lack of resources. Conclusions: Women firefighters are concerned about their risk for cancer due to their occupation and identify a lack of resources specific to health and safety needs of women firefighters.