Protecting Those Who Protect Others

Seven people stand in front of a fire truck while one person sits on the truck behind them
The crew of Engine 17 stopped by Engine Company 4 to take part in free skin cancer screenings for Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May. (Photo courtesy: We Rock Cancer)

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(May 27, 2025) — Georgetown University School of Medicine students teamed up with We Rock Cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to host free skin cancer screenings during Skin Cancer Awareness Month for Washington, D.C., first responders.

From May 16 to 18, about 200 firefighters and EMS personnel from around the district took part in the screenings at DC Fire Department Engine Company 4.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says firefighters face an increased risk of developing the disease, attributed to occupational exposures. Data suggests firefighters have a 21% greater risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, due to frequent exposure to cancer-causing substances that can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin in the line of duty.

“Our firefighters selflessly safeguard our community every day,” said Georgetown alumna Neelam Khan (M’16), MD, board-certified dermatologist and AAD member sponsor for the initiative, who performed spot checks along with other volunteer licensed dermatologists. “This initiative allows us to give back to these heroes by ensuring they have access to potentially lifesaving skin cancer checks.”

This initiative was led on the ground by Georgetown medical student Umayr Shaikh (M’26), MPH, who assembled a team of medical students from Georgetown and Howard University to help facilitate the screenings and support the success of this effort.

Six people stand together in a firehouse in front of a sign that reads Engine 4 Company

From left: Meridith Martin (M’28), Vincent Le (M’28), Neelam Khan (M’16), MD, Umayr Shaikh (M’26), MPH, Lillian Spear (M’28) and Nathan Nguyen (M’28) (Photo courtesy of Umayr Shaikh)

Students check firefighters in at a table surrounded by chairs

Engine Company 4 hosted three days of free cancer screenings for EMS and firefighters from around the district. (Photo courtesy of Umayr Shaikh)

A doctor uses a light to check a firefighter's skin

Neelam Khan (M’16), MD, conducted a spot check on a D.C. firefighter. (Photo courtesy of We Rock Cancer)

A firefighter puts a sticker on his sleeve

After screening, a firefighters sported his “We Rock Cancer” screening sticker. (Photo courtesy of We Rock Cancer)