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Son: Firefighter dad's cancer work-related

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The son of a Danish firefighter whose claim for compensation for cancer was denied says his father hoped to help others.

Flemming Jensen died of colon cancer in January at the age of 60, the Copenhagen Post reported. His son, Mark, said his father hoped to make the case that his cancer was related to his work, caused by years of breathing smoke.

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"He hoped that the case would help his fellow firefighters get what they deserve," Jensen told DR News.

The National Board of Industrial Injuries rejected another firefighter's claim at the same time this week. The other man suffers from terminal cancer but the type was not reported.

The board is considering another 91 claims from firefighters for allegedly work-related cancers. Rikke Nielsen, a spokesman for the agency, said claims involving testicular or prostate cancer are usually approved, and claims for lung or skin cancer if the firefighters can show proof of exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Mark Jensen said he researched cancer in firefighters while his father was dying and learned they have a high rate of disease. He said they deserve compensation.

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"They run into a burning house, when everyone else is running out," he said. "They are saving lives, even at the risk of their own."

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