Press Release: Burbank Provides Cancer Screenings for Fire Service Members

BURBANK, CA (June 30, 2023) — Cancer is the most dangerous, under-recognized threat to the health and safety of Firefighters in the U.S. To combat this, the City of Burbank offered multi-cancer screenings for its active fire service personnel, establishing itself as the first fire service agency within Los Angeles County to offer this vital health service to its active-duty members.

In collaboration with the Burbank Firefighters Union 778 and the Grail company, an industry leader in cancer prevention diagnostics, active firefighters were offered a Galleri test. This state-of-the-art test utilizes a simple blood draw to identify cancer signals in the body. Through the voluntary testing, Burbank aims to detect up to fifty types of cancer in its early stages, especially for those individuals who are at an elevated risk. The Galleri test not only detects active cancer signals, but it also has the potential to pinpoint their location within the body.

Fire Chief Eric Garcia commended the initiative, emphasizing its immeasurable benefit to their sworn fire service personnel. "This initiative is a powerful reminder of the significance of routine health screenings and the preventative measures that Burbank is taking to protect our fire service members," said Garcia. "Furthermore, there's a critical educational aspect — in a world where early detection can drastically affect cancer treatment outcomes, it's crucial that all fire department agencies recognize the availability and effectiveness of this service."

Cancer is the number one cause of line of duty deaths according to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). The Galleri test is designed to aid in early detection and enhance the efficacy of common screening tests as advised by healthcare professionals. For more information about the Grail company and its groundbreaking contributions to early cancer detection, please visit grail.com/galleri-test

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