US Pilots and Flight Attendants Face Higher Cancer Death Rates
Cancer-Related Mortality Among US Pilots and Flight Attendants
A study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that US pilots and flight attendants have higher mortality rates from certain cancers compared to the general population. The research, based on data from over 10,000 aviation workers, highlights elevated risks for melanoma, breast, and prostate cancers, likely linked to cosmic radiation and disrupted sleep cycles. The findings underscore the need for targeted health screenings and workplace safety measures for aviation personnel.
The elevated cancer mortality rates among pilots and flight attendants suggest that occupational exposures, such as cosmic radiation and circadian disruption, may contribute to these risks.