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BY DANNY MATTESON

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

You're watching multisource health news analysis from Newsy.

Being a 9/11 hero comes with a high price. According to a new study, there’s an increased risk of cancer in firefighters who were first responders after the attacks. The Chicago Tribune explains.

“Medical research concludes the firemen who worked in the toxic dust of the World Trade Center attacks will now have a higher risk of cancer. Researchers studied 10,000 firefighters and discovered an almost 20% greater likelihood of cancer among those who were exposed to particles in the air following the twin towers collapse.”  

So how significant are these sobering statistics? One expert tells MSNBC the findings go directly against a recent government decision.

“It’s very significant...everybody thought yeah there’s carcinogens, there’s going to be more cancer. But only a few weeks ago the Federal Government said that cancer was not one of the diseases for which people could be reimbursed if they had been exposed at 9/11.” 

So what exactly is at stake in this medical misunderstanding? According to The New York Times it’s access to health care -- something 9/11 respondents hope this study, and others like it, will change.   

“Cancer is not on the list of illnesses covered by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which has set aside $4.3 billion to treat … health problems associated with the attacks ... But the law requires officials … to conduct periodic reviews of studies to assess whether to add illnesses to the list.”   

But a senior fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research warns WebMD the new findings may be causing our emotions to get the best of us.

“The firefighter study goes against everything that has been known until this point, including the findings of studies funded by the federal government. … This is an emotionally driven issue and everyone wants to help the heroes. We should not turn a blind eye to the science just because we have affinity toward the heroes.”

Finally, one retired firefighter tells CNN he is well aware of the risks...

“I’m not an expert. I’ve been at some of the hearings. I’ve heard some of the dialogue going back and forth and to say that pulverized glass and asbestos and sheet rock dust and dioxins from the fire that burned for three months afterward isn’t an affect on the firefighters and rescue workers is pure insanity.”

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