Posted on May 30th, 2025
If you have an AFFF exposure history, the lump you've been putting off checking may be more serious than you realize. Testicular abnormalities in firefighters who worked with AFFF should be evaluated immediately, since they may indicate early-stage cancer. The highest rates of testicular cancer occur in men between the ages of 15 and 45.
Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among active-duty male service members, and approximately 9,720 new cases are expected nationwide across the entire U.S. population in 2025. Over 95% of patients survive if treatment is initiated early.
Consult your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs:
Research shows that firefighters are at two times greater risk of developing testicular cancer than the general population. The Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch researchers, for the first time, studied 530 cases of testicular cancer diagnosed during active duty and an equal number of control cases. It was found that firefighters had higher levels of PFOS, a type of PFAS, in their blood. A study published in the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association stated that the average relative increase in cancer risk per 10 ng/mL increase in serum PFOA is 3% for testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer has a latency period of about 15 years when it is related to PFAS exposure. If you are a civilian or military firefighter who developed testicular cancer due to the use of AFFF, you are likely to be entitled to compensation.
AFFF contains synthetic fluorine-based chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and these chemicals have been strongly connected to testicular cancer. In a study published in 2023, researchers found that higher blood concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer among Air Force members. Studies like this one highlight how hazardous AFFF exposure has been to military firefighters, as they have been exposed to high levels of PFAS from firefighting foam.
There are different possible mechanisms for how PFAS can cause cancer, many of which are still being studied. One mechanism that has been suggested is that PFAS alters cellular behavior through epigenetic changes, which means it can change gene activities without directly changing the DNA.
Many groups are facing higher risks of developing cancer from AFFF exposure. Civilian and military firefighters, in particular, are facing the highest risks among these groups because of their exposure to AFFF through decades of conducting drills, going through firefighting training, and responding to liquid fires. The Department of Defense (DoD) started using AFFF in the 1970s. Since these chemicals accumulate in the body over time, past exposures are relevant to current health risks of both active and veteran military firefighters.
The financial and emotional burden of a testicular cancer diagnosis is significant, as well as the loss of wages. If AFFF exposure has caused your illness, you may be entitled to compensation for your treatment expenses, lost income, and pain. As a military firefighter (active or veteran), you may be eligible for an AFFF claim against manufacturers and a VA disability claim for testicular cancer. Civilian firefighters may also qualify for AFFF claims.
ELG Law attorneys have been assisting victims of toxic exposure for the past three decades, including patients with AFFF-related cancer. We are offering a free case evaluation to help you determine your legal options. To start a claim, we will need documentation showing AFFF exposure and your medical records showing your testicular cancer diagnosis.
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