Study Finds Flight Crews Face Highest Risk of Radiation-Related Cancer Deaths

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined more than 12 million death certificates and found that flight attendants and pilots have the highest proportion of deaths from radiation-related cancers among more than 500 occupations. The researchers reported that flight attendants faced about a 50% increase in odds of such deaths, while pilots had a 36% increase, compared with the general working population, which had a 5% rate.

The analysis focused on cancers associated with ionizing radiation, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and cancers of the skin, breast, thyroid, prostate and central nervous system. Neither group showed elevated mortality from cancers not linked to radiation, suggesting occupational exposure rather than lifestyle factors drives the excess risk, according to radiation experts Catherine Olsen and Ken Karipidis.

The authors noted limitations, such as the inability to measure individual radiation doses or account for possible misclassification of occupations on death certificates. They also mentioned that disrupted circadian rhythms from jet lag and irregular schedules could contribute to cancer risk.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledges ionizing radiation exposure for aircrews but does not set dose limits or require monitoring. "You can’t manage an exposure you’ve decided not to measure," said study lead Dr. Vishal Patel.

Union leader Sara Nelson, who heads the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said the findings underscore the need for better education and responsibility regarding radiation risks. Olsen and Karipidis suggested that regular skin examinations and earlier mammograms for women in these roles may be warranted, and that physicians should maintain heightened vigilance for cancer in pilots and flight attendants.