Shawn Magrath Photo

NORWICH – Republican Congressman Richard Hanna was in Norwich on Wednesday to peddle proposed legislation that would create a national registry of firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer.

Hanna, joined by Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike and Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, called on U.S. representatives to approve the National Firefighter Cancer Registry which would establish a specialized cancer registry managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins that make them more susceptible to major cancers – including stomach, testicular, multiple myeloma and brain cancers – Hanna said they would benefit from a nationwide database that improves monitoring of cancer incidences among career and volunteer firefighters.