Texas Wade Cannon Act (HB 198) · In effect since June 1, 2026
For Texas Fire DepartmentsOccupational cancer screening support
27 cancer types
One small blood sample
Results in 7–10 days
Wade Cannon Act · Texas HB 198
Texas fire departments must now offer cancer screening. Make it one that looks for more.
Texas departments must now offer confidential, no-cost occupational cancer screening starting in a firefighter's fifth year of service, and every year after. OneTest™ for Cancer adds a simple blood-based screen for the likelihood of 27 cancers — collected in minutes, no clinic visit needed.
A quick, near-painless capillary draw from the upper arm — at home or at the station.
66%
of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019 were caused by cancer
9%
higher risk of a cancer diagnosis for firefighters than the general U.S. population
14%
higher risk of dying from cancer for firefighters than the general U.S. population
Sources: International Association of Fire Fighters / Firefighter Cancer Support Network; CDC–NIOSH firefighter cancer research.
The law at a glance
What the Wade Cannon Act Means for Your Department
Named in honor of Flower Mound firefighter Wade Cannon, the Wade Cannon Act (HB 198) establishes cancer screening requirements for eligible Texas firefighters.
Who must comply
Every Texas political subdivision that employs firefighters
Cities, counties, and other local entities with fire protection personnel.
Screening Schedule
In the fifth year of employment, then once every year
Screening becomes a recurring annual obligation for every eligible firefighter, not a one-time event.
Cost & Confidentiality
No cost to the firefighter, and fully confidential
The department funds the screening, and results must be kept confidential.
Putting it into practice
From Compliance to Implementation
Meeting the requirements is only the starting point. The real challenge is building a program your firefighters can access, trust, and use year after year.
How do we fund it?
An obligation for every eligible firefighter, on a municipal budget.
One kit, one price per firefighter. A single blood sample screens for the likelihood of 27 cancer types, with no clinic visit, facility fee, or time off shift required.
Which screening should we choose?
Many cancers linked to firefighting have no routine screening test.
Broader coverage from one draw. OneTest looks for cancer-associated protein biomarkers across 27 cancer types, including many with no standard screening option, and complements the exams your physician-led program already includes.
How do we reach every shift?
24/48 and 48/96 schedules make clinic appointments hard to coordinate.
Collection fits around the rotation. Kits can ship directly to the department, with firefighters completing the capillary draw at the station or at home, on their own schedule.
How do we keep results confidential?
The law requires it, and firefighters need to trust it before they participate.
Private by design. Each firefighter receives results through a HIPAA-compliant online portal, so they can review them with a physician and decide what to share.
1
Small capillary blood sample
27K+
Person dataset behind the AI model
How it works
From setup to results
A straightforward process for your department and your firefighters.
1
Plan With Our Team
Department setup
We review your roster, eligibility, and how OneTest fits alongside your existing occupational health program.
2
Kits Ship to Your Department
~7 days
Kits ship directly to your department for distribution to eligible firefighters. Each kit includes everything needed for collection.
3
Specimen Collection
A few minutes
A Red Drop capillary device collects a small micro-vial of blood from the upper arm, with minimal discomfort.
4
Overnight Shipping
Time-sensitive
Ship the same day using the prepaid UPS/FedEx Overnight label. Ship Monday–Wednesday; avoid Fridays and weekends.
5
Lab Processing
7–10 days
Our CLIA-licensed lab measures tumor-associated protein biomarkers, then our proprietary AI algorithm processes the results.
6
Confidential Results
Secure portal
Each firefighter receives a secure email notification when their report is ready in the HIPAA-compliant online portal.
7
Physician Follow-Up
Next steps
Firefighters review their results with a physician and determine next steps with their primary care provider.
8
Repeat Every Year
Annual baseline
Annual retesting helps track biomarker changes over time and supports the law's yearly screening cycle.
Understanding results
A results roadmap for what to do next
OneTest™ is a likelihood-assessment and early-detection tool, not a definitive diagnosis. An elevated score is an early indicator to discuss with a doctor, not a cancer diagnosis.
Low Likelihood
0.3%
12-month likelihood of developing cancer
- Review results with a doctor or primary care physician
- Consider earlier or more frequent retesting if any biomarkers are elevated
- Stay current with standard screenings (colonoscopy, mammogram, chest CT, etc.)
Repeat OneTest in 12 months
Mild Likelihood
2.2%
12-month likelihood of developing cancer
- Review results with a doctor or primary care physician
- Consider earlier repeat testing or OneTest Premium / ctDNA-based MCED follow-up
- Consider diet and lifestyle changes to help lower elevated biomarkers
Elevated: 2–4 months · Low biomarkers: 6 months
Moderate Likelihood
10.2%
12-month likelihood of developing cancer
- Review results with a doctor or primary care physician
- Consider advanced screening protocols per the doctor's guidance
- Follow up with OneTest Premium or a ctDNA-based MCED
Elevated: within 1 month · Low biomarkers: within 3 months
Get started
Resources for departments and firefighters
Start a conversation about your department, or find the tools your firefighters need.
Talk to our department team
Discuss pricing, rollout, and how OneTest can support your Wade Cannon Act program.
Request a Consultation
Capillary device instructions
See the step-by-step guide to the blood collection device before kits arrive.
See Instructions
Get your test results
Already tested? View your results and composite likelihood score on the HIPAA-compliant online portal.
Get Your Test Results
See why screening matters
Watch Jimmy's story, a real OneTest experience on why early cancer screening matters.
Watch the Interview
Screen for more, every year
27 cancer types. One small blood sample. Built for Texas fire departments.
Talk to Our Team
OneTest™ for Cancer is a multi-cancer early detection test that assesses the likelihood of cancer. It does not diagnose cancer, and results should be reviewed with a qualified healthcare provider. OneTest does not replace guideline-recommended cancer screenings. Information about Texas House Bill 198 (the Wade Cannon Act) is provided for general reference and is not legal or compliance advice; departments should consult the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and their own counsel regarding specific requirements.
