Proposed by Tony Stefani, Founder and President Approved by the Board of Directors
Firefighters face a heightened cancer risk. Any screening technology used within our profession must be highly accurate, clinically validated, and supported by strong peer-reviewed evidence. Premature reliance on unproven testing methods could result in false reassurance, missed cancers, unnecessary follow-up procedures, or added stress for firefighters and their families.
For these reasons, the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation cannot currently support the routine use of commercially available “Multi-Cancer Detection” (MCD) blood biopsy tests (Galleri test, CancerGuard Test, etc.) for firefighter cancer screening. These companies claim they can scan for over 50 types of cancer.
Our Foundation continues to support evidence-based cancer prevention measures, including exposure reduction practices, proper decontamination procedures, adherence to established medical screening guidelines, and participation in research designed to improve early detection for firefighters.
We strongly encourage continued independent scientific research and large-scale validation studies in liquid biopsy technologies. Should future evidence demonstrate consistent accuracy and clinical benefits for firefighter populations, the Foundation will reassess its position accordingly.
Until that time, our commitment remains clear: firefighters deserve screening tools that are proven, reliable, and grounded in the highest standards of medical science.