Oregon firefighter works to raise awareness on link between firefighting, cancer risk
(InvestigateTV) — An Oregon firefighter was forced to hang up his helmet, not by choice but by a devastating diagnosis. His struggle is revealing a hidden link between firefighting and cancer.
Answering the call as a firefighter came as a natural fit for Mike Roulette.
“I love it, and I love all the things about it. Something I always wanted to do,” he said. “It is more of a calling than a job. It’s more of a family.”
For years, Mike’s job was saving lives. But now, he’s fighting for his.
“I’m off the job due to the tumor I have,” he explained.
Five years ago, Mike was forced to leave Tigard Station 51 with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
“I was diagnosed, it was stage 2 glioma, which is brain cancer. It’s since progressed to stage 3,” he said. “I’ve had multiple surgeries. Open brain surgery, chemo, radiation. Doctors have said that I can’t go back. Ultimately, it’s fatal.”
“It was very shocking, we had three little kids at the time, they were all under the age of 9,” said Ivy Roulette, Mike’s wife. “The one thing that’s come out of it that I think that has been very good is that appreciation for every single moment, every day.”
“It’s hard, hard. This is the career I always wanted to do, and I’m thankful for the time that I’ve been able to do that. So, not being able to do it anymore is difficult,” Mike said.
His former crew members have had his back through every blaze.
Firefighters face a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from it, according to the American Cancer Society. Their exposure to smoke and toxic chemicals, clinging to gear and seeping into their skin, puts them at greater risk with every call.
Read more of Mike Roulette‘s story by clicking here.
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