Prostate cancer has made the list of World Trade Center-related diseases covered under the Zadroga Act.
The US Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday is adding the cancer to the more than 50 others eligible for free medical care under the WTC Health program.
A summary of the ruling cites a May 2 petition requesting “malignant neoplasm of the prostate” be included in the group as the catalyst.
The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, which submitted that petition, cited a study that determined WTC first responders had a 17 percent greater-than-expected rate of prostate cancer.
In July, US health officials said the cancer was likely to make the list.
The additional cost of adding prostate cancer could run as much as $6 million a year.