The chief of the Phoenix Fire Department announced Wednesday that she has breast cancer and will undergo a double mastectomy this week.
Chief Kara Kalkbrenner said in an open letter on Facebook that she discovered a lump in her breast several weeks ago.
Kalkbrenner underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction on Friday.
Assistant Chief Shelly Jamison said in an statement that Kalkbrenner's surgery went "extremely well" and she is now in recovery.
"Her Fire Department family is supporting her family’s needs while respecting her privacy as she recuperates," part of the statement read.
In her letter, Kalkbrenner added that it was not immediately clear whether she would need further treatment.
After the surgery, Kalkbrenner said she intends to continue to lead the department.
"Since being appointed fire chief, I have lead this battle on behalf of the fire service," part of the open letter read.
"This diagnosis is only strengthening my resolve to eradicate the disease from being considered an eventual expectation of having this career," it continued.
"Let this be an opportunity to remind each of you to follow our exposure protocols, file exposure reports, get your annual physical, annual cancer screening, take care of yourself and each other!"
Cancer is the number one killer of firefighters. For years, Kalkbrenner has been warning about the health risk and encouraging firefighters to get regularly screened.
“Prevention is the key. Early detection is the second key,” she told 12 News in a 2018 interview.
Firefighters have a 50% greater chance of getting cancer than the average person, but it was not immediately known whether Kalkbrenner's cancer diagnosis can be attributed to her time as a firefighter.
Kalkbrenner's fellow Phoenix firefighters are backing her up.
“True leader. Somebody that when she asks firefighters to have this high level of performance. She's done it herself,” said Captain Rob McDade with the Phoenix Fire Department.
“This is another way she's going to lead by example with how she handles this cancer, the treatment and moving forward," said Captain Rob McDade.
"You don't want it to happen to anyone but Chief Kalkbrenner is up to the task for sure."