5 types of presumptive cancer to be added to coverage list for P.E.I. firefighters

The Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. has added five more presumptive cancers for which Island firefighters are eligible to receive health coverage, bringing the total to 19.

Under P.E.I.'s Workers Compensation Act, presumptive coverage means that it is presumed a primary cancer for a fire inspector or firefighter is related to their work unless proven otherwise, according to a news release from the WCB. 

Those eligible for coverage include inspectors, and paid or volunteer firefighters who are members of a department or brigade.

Gerard McMahon, the district deputy chief of the Charlottetown Fire Department, said this initiative helps ease the mind of firefighters.

"[It] gives you peace of mind that you're going to be covered if you need any extra expense for medical coverage or trips off the Island," he said. 

The five cancers added to the coverage list include:

Firefighting is a dangerous job, and not always due to the physical threat of fire. Issues can arise long after someone has served their community.

Firefighters are nine per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and 14 per cent more likely to die of cancer compared to the general public, according to Health Canada.

Allison Wyatt, director of claims and compensation with the WCB, said the board looked at cancers affecting women when expanding its coverage.

"We particularly looked at enhanced coverage for female cancers as we look at a more diverse workforce within firefighting," Wyatt said, adding that the coverage extends beyond the firefighter. 

"You think about people who are experiencing illness of any kind and you think about the impact that has on their families, you think about the impact that has on their community, and so really this… legislation is about the support for both them, their community and their families."

P.E.I. Workforce Minister Jenn Redmond said she hopes this expanded coverage will increase the number of firefighters on the Island.

"To be able to ensure that we have supports in place should they need them is a really big benefit in removing that barrier to have them come and join forces in their communities," she said. 

"Sometimes we focus very much on the volunteer firefighter force as being male-dominated, which it would be, but we have a lot of female firefighters.... Understanding when they face cervical, ovarian cancers connected to their volunteerism, it's really important."