In 2022, Congress relieved wildland firefighters’ access to workers’ compensation for a number of serious illnesses, including several cancers. But advocates are pushing for broader, more inclusive coverage for cancers that affect women.

The reform was celebrated by current and former firefighters like Riva Dunca, vice president of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.

“It was a big deal,” he said. “But it was a pretty monumental change.”

But she wasn’t the only one who noticed what wasn’t in the list of diseases now presumed to be work-related: ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and other cancers that largely affect women, who represent a portion 16% of the federal firefighters.

“We definitely want to celebrate how far we’ve come, but we don’t want to leave anyone behind,” he said. “And we feel like this leaves women behind.”

Grassroots was one of several groups that signed a recent letter to the Department of Labor requesting that they “expand the official list of presumptive covered cancers to include all breast, ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers.”

“Including these cancers under the existing presumptive coverage policy would ensure that all federal wildland firefighters, regardless of gender, receive equal protection and support,” the letter continued. “This adjustment is not just a question of equity; “It is aligned with our national values ​​and further demonstrates the current administration’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of women who serve in this demanding and dangerous field.”

In response to questions from the media, GuardianThe Labor Department said there were “no new published articles that support the presumption that fire protection and firefighting activities cause an increased risk of female reproductive cancers,” but said the agency would continue to monitor the research.

Duncan said she was “extremely disappointed” by the response, but added that she and other advocates have a “really good” working relationship with the department.

This story was produced by Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. . Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau comes in part from Public Broadcasting Corporation.