Woonsocket firefighters to undergo esophageal cancer screenings

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Firefighters in Woonsocket will be screened to see if they are at risk for esophageal cancer Wednesday and Thursday.

The tests will be done using pill-sized scraping devices, which are swallowed and extracted within a five-minute period.

After that is DNA testing, which can tell whether pre-cancer is present, allowing firefighters to take next steps before developing the cancer.

Esophageal cancer is an occupational risk for firefighters.