DeKalb firefighters get screened for lung cancer through Northwestern Medicine research program

DeKalb firefighters who screened for lung cancer Thursday morning at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, through a program that’s open to the public, did so knowing one of their own is currently battling cancer.Trevor Chilton, a firefighter and paramedic who’s been with the DeKalb Fire Department for 13 years, said he and his cohort got screened and allowed media access during their medical procedures to help raise awareness for the need for better access to lung cancer screenings. “Obviously I’m not here hoping for bad news with the results, but if it were the case, it gives me a chance early on to start making a plan and to start fighting,” Chilton said. Among the more than 300 Chicago and DeKalb firefighters getting CT scans through Northwestern’s Lung Health Center at the Canning Thoracic Institute this week – Chicago firefighters will come through Friday – was DeKalb Fire Chief Luke Howieson. He said about 90% of DeKalb’s firefighters elected to participate in the program.