West Virginia must close the cancer coverage gap for women firefighters

West Virginia must close the cancer coverage gap for women firefighters

Protective gear hangs at the fire station in Parkersburg, West Virginia. (Photo by Amelia Ferrell Knisely/West Virginia Watch)Women now make up 9% of the U.S. fire service, yet they remain underrepresented in research and policy, leaving many gender-specific occupational hazards overlooked. Firefighters, compared with the general population, face a significantly increased risk of developing several types of cancer, many of which are recognized u…