A recent report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute Spectrum reveals that there is an elevated amount of 9/11 first responders who have been diagnosed with leukemia in comparison to the general public.

Retired New York City firefighter Michael O'Connell, of Westbury, says he and many of his fellow first responders have been warning for years about how those who spent time at Ground Zero would eventually get sick and diagnosed with different forms of cancer.

O'Connell says he was forced to retire from the FDNY after being diagnosed with sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disorder. He says this latest study only confirms what he's believed for years.

Dr. Jacqueline Moline, the chairperson of the Northwell Health Queens World Trade Center Health Program, co-authored the study and says that doctors will probably be adding more forms of cancer to it in the years to come.

She also says benzene, which is part of jet fuel, could've caused the risk for leukemia as 90,000 gallons of jet fuel were in the planes that hit the World Trade Center.

Doctors recommend anyone who spent time at Ground Zero to register with the World Trade Center Health Program - even people who feel completely healthy.