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.
- seethishat
I read once that a CT scan is roughly equivalent to 1000 hours of flight WRT radiation exposure. I've had about 6 or 8 of those over the years.
- ViktorRay
Cancers rates among Orthopedic surgeons are also much higher than those faced by non surgeon doctors.
This is due to exposure to the radiation from intra operative x rays.
- glimshe
According to Gemini, radiation related cancer rates aren't higher in high elevation cities like Quito or La Paz... Shouldn't they be too? Airliners fly a lot higher but people live in these 24x7.
- RajT88
Attendants have higher risk than pilots. This kind of makes sense, as my understanding is they don't have pilots fly too often. Meanwhile, attendants are flying all the time.
- jschveibinz
A water bladder above the cockpit might help? I'm not a nuclear physicist, but I stayed at a HolInn Express last night...
- amelius
Don't forget your lead body armor when going on long flight trips (which they can't charge you extra for).
- toomanywalls
Not an auth wall.
Not a pay wall.
Not even a cookie wall (Block Element! bullet ricochet noise)
But a Terms of Use wall?
For an article?
I just wanna read it.
- elromulous
I've wondered if billionaires get their jets lined with lead.
Lead is notoriously heavy, but if you buy a 737 and it only ever has to fly you and a couple other people, it might be feasible.
Or I guess they could just line one section where they spend the majority of the time.