Source: Severson, G. (2025, August 5). Can saunas prevent cancer in firefighters? Minneapolis Fire Department adds five saunas at local fire stations. KARE 11 News
Firefighters face one of the highest occupational cancer risks of any profession. Research from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shows that firefighters have significantly higher rates of lung, digestive, and urinary cancers compared to the general population. Exposure to smoke, soot, and chemical residues from burning materials is the primary driver of this increased risk.
While protective gear, breathing apparatus, and decontamination are critical defenses, some fire departments are experimenting with a new recovery tool – the sauna.
Why Saunas Are Entering the Firehouse
The Minneapolis Fire Department recently installed saunas in five of its fire stations, with the goal of adding them to all 19 stations. The initiative was led by the Minneapolis Fire Foundation, spearheaded by founder and cancer survivor Steve Shapira.
The idea is straightforward: after fighting a fire, firefighters spend 15–30 minutes in a sauna to promote heavy sweating, which may help eliminate toxins absorbed during firefighting.
Many firefighters report anecdotal benefits – such as removing the smoky odor from skin and feeling “cleaner” after a shift – which has led some to speculate that harmful substances might also be expelled during this process.
What the Science Says So Far
Occupational medicine physician Dr. Zeke McKinney has studied sauna use among Saint Paul firefighters for several years. His preliminary data is promising but not conclusive.
“Are there health benefits of saunas? Yes. Are those benefits to detoxify you from carcinogens such that it would decrease your cancer risk? It’s unclear,” McKinney told KARE 11.
McKinney’s research – expected to be published later this year – will further explore whether sauna-induced sweating meaningfully reduces the body’s toxic load after fire exposure. Until then, experts caution that saunas should be viewed as a potential supplement, not a substitute, for proven cancer-prevention measures.
Beyond Cancer Prevention: Documented Health Benefits of Sauna Use
Even without definitive cancer-prevention data, saunas offer well-established health benefits:
- Cardiovascular support and circulation improvement – Repeated heat exposure causes blood vessels to dilate, which can lower blood pressure, improve vascular function, and support overall heart health.
- Enhanced muscle recovery – Heat can relax muscles, reduce stiffness, and improve blood flow to damaged tissues, aiding post-incident recovery after physically demanding calls.
- Mental health and stress relief – Many users report decreased anxiety, improved mood, and better sleep quality due to the calming, meditative environment of sauna sessions.
- Joint pain management – For firefighters dealing with chronic strain or arthritis from years of physical labor, heat therapy may help reduce pain and maintain mobility.
- Immune system support – Some studies suggest that heat exposure may temporarily boost white blood cell activity, helping the body respond to infections more efficiently.
The Bigger Picture: Comprehensive Cancer Prevention for Firefighters
Sauna use should be part of a layered prevention approach, not a standalone solution. Other proven measures include:
- Thorough on-scene gear decontamination – Using soap, water, and wipes to remove soot and chemical residues from skin, hands, and equipment immediately after exposure.
- Full use of SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) during overhaul – Continuing to wear respiratory protection even after visible flames are out, since carcinogens remain airborne in smoldering debris.
- Routine cleaning of turnout gear – Washing PPE regularly in specialized extractors to prevent toxin accumulation, while avoiding cross-contamination in living spaces.
- Clean cab policies – Keeping contaminated gear and equipment out of fire engine interiors to reduce secondary exposure during transit.
- Regular occupational health screenings – Annual physicals, lung function tests, and cancer screenings tailored to firefighter risk profiles, allowing for earlier detection and treatment.
- Education and training – Ongoing instruction about emerging cancer risks, decontamination best practices, and wellness strategies to encourage compliance.
Firefighter Cancer Risk – Facts & Prevention Tips
Quick Facts:
- Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population (NIOSH).
- High-risk exposures include benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and asbestos – often released during structure fires.
- Cancer types most commonly linked to firefighting include bladder, kidney, lung, skin, and multiple myeloma.
Key Prevention Tips:
- Use respiratory protection at all times in fire environments, including during overhaul and salvage phases.
- Perform gross decontamination on-scene before returning to the station.
- Shower within an hour of fireground operations to remove surface contaminants.
- Change into clean clothes promptly to prevent skin contact with contaminated fabrics.
- Participate in annual medical monitoring tailored to occupational cancer risks.
- Support wellness initiatives – including fitness programs, nutrition counseling, and recovery tools like saunas – to strengthen the body’s resilience.
Bottom Line:
The Minneapolis Fire Department’s sauna initiative reflects an innovative, wellness-oriented approach to firefighter health. While research is ongoing into saunas’ potential to reduce cancer risk, they may already be providing measurable cardiovascular, muscular, and mental health benefits.
In a profession where exposure to carcinogens is often unavoidable, combining traditional prevention measures with emerging recovery tools could offer firefighters their best chance at a longer, healthier career.
