A recent study from Harvard University highlights that pilots and flight attendants may be at a greater risk for specific types of cancer due to exposure to cosmic radiation. This research indicates that among more than 500 different professions, airline workers face the highest risk of cancer-related deaths linked to radiation.
Dr. Anupam B. Jena, the study’s author, explained that when flying at high altitudes, individuals are subjected to ionizing radiation primarily from the sun, a phenomenon referred to as cosmic radiation. The findings were drawn from the National Vital Statistics System, analyzing nearly 13 million death certificates from the United States between 2020 and 2024, which included deaths among approximately 14,000 pilots and 7,000 flight attendants.
The study focused on various radiation-linked cancers, such as breast cancer, multiple myeloma, leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia), lymphoma, central nervous system cancers, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancers. Interestingly, lung cancer was not included to avoid merging results related to smoking.
Results showed that pilots and flight attendants have significantly higher mortality rates from cancers like breast cancer, central nervous system cancers, prostate cancers, and melanoma. Specifically, about 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths were linked to radiation-related cancers, marking a higher rate than other occupations studied.
For cancers unrelated to radiation, rates among pilots and flight attendants were similar to those in other fields, suggesting that the elevated risk is not solely related to lifestyle factors, according to Dr. Jena.
Published on August 17 in JAMA Internal Medicine, these findings spark discussions about whether U.S. airline crew members should be subjected to increased or earlier cancer screenings. Dr. Jena advised that more rigorous screening could be beneficial for these individuals, suggesting they might need to be monitored more closely than others.
For airline personnel, cosmic radiation exposure can range from 3 to 6 millisieverts per year, compared to only 0.4 millisieverts for the average person who takes ten cross-country flights. This translates to airline workers potentially receiving up to 15 times more cosmic radiation annually than regular passengers.
Dr. Jena noted, “The longer you are exposed, the greater the potential risk.” However, he reassured that casual flyers should not be alarmed, as they accumulate much less exposure compared to flight crews.
While few could argue against the importance of addressing these findings, the study also has its limitations. Because it was observational, it can only suggest a link between cosmic radiation and cancer mortality rather than prove causation. Additionally, researchers lacked access to individual data on radiation exposure, making it unclear if those exposed to more radiation faced higher risks.
As researchers continue to explore these connections, the conversation about safety and health practices for those in the airline industry is more crucial than ever.
