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Schumer Calls For Firefighter Cancer Registry

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Firefighters from Westchester County gathered to hear a message of cancer hope outside of Poughkeepsie's Main Street fire station.

Senator Charles Schumer at a press conference with firefighters from Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Fairview and Arlington.

Senator Charles Schumer at a press conference with firefighters from Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Fairview and Arlington.

Photo Credit: Todd Bender

With Tower Ladder 2 as a backdrop, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer stood alongside firefighters from Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Fairview and Arlington as a plan was announced to establish a specialized national cancer registry.

The proposed registry will be managed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, mirrors a bill proposed by Congress.

Schumer cited statistics from a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study that pointed to higher rates of certain types of cancer among firefighters. 

Increased cancer risks in the study included digestive, oral, respiratory and urinary cancers, along with mesothelioma. Risks were noted among both career and volunteer firefighters.

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