ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Sen. Charles Schumer is urging the House of Representatives to pass legislation creating a national firefighter cancer registry.

The Democrat says the registry to be managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would help medical professionals more effectively track and treat firefighters with cancer. The registry bill has been approved by the Senate.

Schumer says research has found a strong connection between firefighting and an increased risk for several major cancers including testicular, stomach, multiple myeloma and brain cancers. He said firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins such as asbestos and flame retardants that are linked to cancer.

The registry would compile epidemiological information related to cancer incidence among firefighters and make it available to health researchers.

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