Flight crews face higher risk of radiation-linked cancer deaths, study finds

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that flight attendants and pilots face a significantly higher risk of dying from radiation-linked cancers compared to the general working population. Analyzing over 12 million US death certificates from 2020 to 2024, researchers identified that flight attendants have approximately 50% higher odds of dying from these cancers, while pilots face roughly 36% higher odds.

The research, led by Dr. Vishal Patel of Harvard Medical School, examined deaths from cancers associated with radiation exposure, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the skin, breast, thyroid, prostate, and central nervous system. Radiation-related cancers accounted for 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths, compared to 5% in the general workforce.

Experts note that the lack of elevated death rates in cancers unrelated to radiation suggests occupational exposure rather than lifestyle or socioeconomic factors is the likely cause. While the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes ionizing radiation exposure, researchers noted that the agency does not currently establish federal dose limits or require mandatory monitoring. The study did not measure specific radiation doses per worker or account for other variables such as jet lag or irregular work schedules.