Committee adopts amendments and advances firefighter precancer-screening bill

Sponsor introduced SB439 as a measure to add precancer screening for esophageal abnormalities among firefighters and to broaden who may provide specified screening services.

A representative of professional firefighters told the committee that esophageal cancer is among the fastest-growing cancers in that population and that early detection of precancerous cells could prevent progression. "This is a precancer screening...it's the fastest growing cancer amongst our population," the witness said, arguing screening could detect precancerous cells and enable removal before cancer develops.

Sponsor and witnesses said local fire districts would pick up costs associated with screening and that the bill builds on prior firefighter-cancer legislation. Committee members heard the amendment language to allow qualified health providers to perform screening activities rather than limiting the work to physicians.

There was no recorded opposition in the committee transcript; the sponsor moved to report the bill favorable as amended and the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorable.