Hanna Pushes For Registry For Firefighters Diagnosed With Cancer

Congressman Richard Hanna and members of Congress are calling for the creation of a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with the disease.

He was joined today in Washington by former Chief of the Whitesboro Fire Department Brian McQueen who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2013.

Hanna is co-sponsoring legislation to establish a national cancer registry to be managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The registry would improve collection capabilities and activities related to nationwide monitoring of cancer among all firefighters.

Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to help our communities during times of emergency,”  Hanna said. “We need a broader understanding of the trends associated with why, how and when our firefighters are contracting this life threatening disease. Establishing a national cancer registry is the first step to building a database where health experts can study the factors associated with cancer diagnoses in the firefighting community.