Scottsdale City Council is moving forward with a state-of-the-art, cancer‑screening program for Scottsdale firefighters, an initiative that has garnered the full support of Mayor Lisa Borowsky.
On the heels of the Feb. 10 City Council meeting where the effort received unanimous approval, Scottsdale is entering into an annual contract with Vincere Physicians Group at a cost of $400,000 per year, to provide advanced cancer screening services for firefighters and fire inspectors.
“This is not just an investment in early detection, it’s an investment in the health, safety and peace of mind of the men and women who protect our community every day,” Mayor Lisa Borowsky said. “We know cancer is the leading cause of firefighter deaths nationwide, and we are taking proactive, science‑based steps to change that.”
Cancer accounts for roughly one‑third of firefighter fatalities, and national data show firefighters face elevated risks of developing various cancers earlier and at higher mortality rates than the general population.
In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified firefighting occupational exposure as “carcinogenic to humans” — its highest risk designation. Pilot screenings in Scottsdale, made possible through a 2021 FEMA grant, have already identified early‑stage cancers among participating personnel.
“These kinds of screening techniques can save the lives of local firefighters who are putting themselves at risk to protect our community,” Mayor Borowsky said. “Our firefighter community deserve to the best cancer screening care and these efforts at City Hall is what common-sense leadership looks like.”
Vincere Physicians Group whole‑body MRI technology is highly effective at identifying cancers that typically appear only at advanced stages and will play a central role in the screening program, despite being an insurance‑excluded service.