Help Advance Firefighter Cancer Research on Chemotherapy Side Effects

February 10, 2026

Firefighters diagnosed with colorectal and similar cancers are often treated with chemotherapy drugs such as oxaliplatin. While effective, these medications can cause nerve damage that leads to tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet. Researchers want to better understand whether firefighters experience these side effects more frequently.

The Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative research team aims to enroll 50 U.S. firefighters into a new study. Firefighters who received oxaliplatin or similar chemotherapy are encouraged to participate, regardless of whether they experienced side effects.

Potential participants will need to complete a brief eligibility pre-screener and, if eligible, complete a short survey and share your oncologist’s contact information so records can be requested. Scan the QR code on this flyer to get started or contact the study lead, Dr. Bonnie Gould Rothberg, at beg72@miami.edu for more information.