Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma launches new program giving free cancer screenings to first responders

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma are launching a new program aimed at giving area first responders free cancer screenings.

The program was formally announced today, Jan. 29, at a meeting at the Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center in Lawton. Free screenings will be offered for first responders at the Centers’ three locations in Duncan, Lawton, and Altus.

Officials said cancer is the number one cause of death for firefighters who are often exposed to carcinogenic substances on the job. They said it’s vital to screen for these cancers early.

“These first responders will have no symptoms for a long time but then they have something developing and it may be after they retire, so doing it early is to their advantage,” Chief Operating Officer Lane Hooton said.

The program is set to officially begin on Feb. 1.