The California Firefighter Health Study seeks to help further our understanding of the occupational impact on risk of cancer and other health outcomes. The study also aims to begin to understand ways to improve the early detection and screening of cancer among firefighters.
The study is focused on California firefighters and their health, specifically cancer for this study. We are also focused on helping to develop and implement better ways to enable the early detection and screening of cancer. Finally, in the future, the partnership between CPF and Kaiser will seek to study other adverse health outcomes.
Saliva contains a lot of information about how the human body works. For example, the DNA in saliva contains genetic information and markers of how internal and external factors, such as environmental exposures, affect health and aging. The first study will focus on telomeres as a marker of exposure and biological aging.
Telomeres are pieces of your DNA that help regulate how your cells divide. They normally shorten with each cell division. When they get too short, the cell will naturally die. We have learned that external factors, such as stress and various environmental factors can also result in shorter telomeres. While a specific length of telomeres is not proscriptive – that does not absolutely mean a bad or good length – for a group of individuals it can indicate adverse or positive outcomes. We are just at the beginning of the process to understand if there are ways to positively impact telomere length.
You should not expect to get personal results from research done through the California Firefighter Health Study. Researchers study biological samples and data from many people over many years before they know if the results have meaning. Research is not the same as medical care. If you have any health concerns, please talk to your doctor.
Participating in the California Firefighter Health Study does not involve the use of any medications, devices, or procedures.
The biggest risk is that someone could get access to the data you provided, despite best efforts to keep your stored information safe. The chance that this will happen is very small, but there is no guarantee that there is no risk. The California Firefighter Health Study will make every reasonable effort to protect your privacy.
Providing your saliva sample and health information will help scientists find new ways to prevent, discover, and treat health problems.
No. The information you provide will only be used for approved research. It will never be used to increase your health insurance premiums or affect decisions about your health insurance coverage.
Your samples and information will be used for research for an unlimited amount of time. The information can still be used if you are no longer a Kaiser Permanente member. You can withdraw your participation at any time. All use will require your permission and/or review by the CPF and an Institutional Review Board, which ensures are participants’ rights are protected.
No, participation is free.
Participants will receive a $50 gift card as a small token of appreciation for their time.
The CPF and Kaiser have initiated this study to prioritize the impact of firefighting on cancer. However, the framework to conduct this study will enable the study of other adverse health effects. Before we do anything in the future, we will contact you to describe what we will do and get your permission to use your information. We may also, if you are willing, ask for some additional information.
All CPF members, both active duty and retired, who are also members of Kaiser Permanente.
We will have contact information and use your medical information only if you respond to the outreach from the CPF or other non-Kaiser information sources about the study. We will only include you in the study if you understand what the study is about and have provided consent to participate.
You cannot enroll in the in the California Firefighter Health Study or The Research Bank if you are not a current Kaiser member.
No. Joining is your choice. If you decide not to join now, or to withdraw your consent later, your decision will not affect your routine health care or health benefits.
The California Firefighter Health Study is a volunteer program. You can leave the program at any time. Leaving will not affect your Kaiser Permanente insurance or health care.
If you wish to withdraw, please notify the California Firefighter Health Study by phone using our toll-free number 833-354-0608 or by email at KPFirefighterStudy@kp.org or in writing:
California Firefighter Health Study
Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
4480 Hacienda Dr.
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Samples are kept in locked buildings and storage areas. Personal health information and data are stored on secure servers and computers protected through electronic safeguards.
Only researchers with approved studies have access to the California Firefighter Health study data. Insurance companies, employers, even family cannot get your information. Additionally, the information you provide will not become a part of your medical record.
A Kaiser Permanente Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews all research studies before they start. Members of the IRB include health care providers, researchers, and community members.
All research activities are monitored by the IRB to make sure that regulations are followed, and ethical principles are met. The IRB makes sure that:
The California Firefighter Health Study will be applying for a Certificate of Confidentiality from the federal government (through the National Institutes of Health). Having the certificate means that no one can force the California Firefighter Health Study to share information that may link to you. This includes a court subpoena by federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceedings.