Announcement Overview
The City of San Francisco has proposed a $500,000 pilot program to provide advanced cancer screenings for active-duty firefighters, as part of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s FY2025–26 budget proposal. The announcement was made on June 20, 2025, and marks a significant step forward in firefighter health and early cancer detection.
The pilot program will offer advanced imaging and diagnostic screening to firefighters over the age of 40 with at least five years of service. These screenings are designed to detect cancer at an earlier stage and would complement existing medical coverage by including tests not typically covered by insurance.
According to the City, the program will be implemented in collaboration with the San Francisco Fire Department, IAFF Local 798, and the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation (SFFCPF), whose screening model has helped guide the city’s approach.
“You are the protectors of our city, and now, we’re here to protect you,” Mayor Lurie stated at the program’s unveiling.
The $500,000 allocation is expected to be matched with private funding, contingent on approval by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors later this summer.
🔗 Read the full announcement from the City of San Francisco
🔗 MSN News Coverage of the Cancer Screening Fund
Why It Matters
Firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks than other professions due to repeated exposure to carcinogenic substances during fire suppression and hazardous material incidents. National research from the CDC and NIOSH shows that firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population.
Over the past two decades, SFFCPF has helped coordinate and fund screening efforts in partnership with UCSF, Stanford, and other leading institutions—emphasizing prevention, early detection, and long-term support. The proposed city-funded pilot represents an opportunity to expand and institutionalize those services through public investment.
Pending final approval, the funding for cancer screenings will become available on July 1, 2026. Further details on eligibility, enrollment, and screening locations will be announced once the city budget is finalized.
For more information about cancer screenings and SFFCPF services contact us at contact@sffcpf.org.