RESCUE: A Workplace Dietary Intervention for UK Firefighters

Firefighters do incredibly important work, but it can come with health risks. They are often exposed to harmful substances, like smoke and chemicals, which can increase their chance of developing certain cancers. In fact, experts have agreed that being a firefighter means you're more likely to be exposed to things that cause cancer. While things like protective gear help, they can't completely prevent all exposure to these harmful substances.

Because of these workplace risks, there's a real interest in finding other ways to keep firefighters healthy in the long run. One important area is diet. What we eat can play a big role in how our bodies handle harmful substances, how much inflammation we have, and even how our cells repair themselves. Leading health organisations agree that a healthy diet is incredibly important for preventing cancer and other diseases.

Historically, nutrition advice for firefighters has often been similar to general public health guidance, which might not always feel relevant to their specific job and daily life. This study aims to fill that gap. Researchers will first look at what firefighters currently eat. Then, they will introduce a new programme called RESCUE. This programme is designed specifically for firefighters to teach them about healthier eating and help them make better food choices that could lower their cancer risk and improve their overall health. The study will also consider how the food available in fire stations affects their diet.