Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025

This bill would require the Department of Defense to offer free cancer screenings and related services to its firefighters during their yearly health checkups. The goal is to catch cancer early and reduce risks tied to firefighting. These services are optional, so a firefighter can choose to opt out.

Key points

• Who is affected: Firefighters who work for the Department of Defense; participation is optional.
• What changes:
  • Breast cancer: Mammograms for women 40–49 at least every two years, and every year at 50+, with a radiologist reviewing and sharing results.
  • Colon cancer: At age 40, information on stool tests; at 45+, regular colonoscopy or stool tests, with results reviewed by a doctor.
  • Prostate cancer: For men, yearly PSA test at 50+, and at 40+ if high-risk; also as needed based on a doctor’s judgment.
  • Other cancers: Routine screenings for cancers the CDC says are more common in firefighters.
  • Data and privacy: DoD will track testing rates and results to spot trends, remove personal details, and may share data with CDC to improve understanding of cancer in firefighters.
• When: During the annual health assessment, and more often if medically needed; all services are provided at no cost to the firefighter.