Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Study Finds Aircrews Face Elevated Radiation-Cancer Death Risk
Airplanes fly high above the ground, where people receive more radiation from space.
Scientists studied death records to see whether this might affect airline crews.
They found that flight attendants had the highest share of deaths from certain cancers among the occupations examined.
Pilots had the second-highest share.
Compared with other workers, flight attendants had about 50% higher odds of dying from these cancers, while pilots had about 36% higher odds.
The study does not prove that radiation caused every death.
The researchers did not know how much radiation each person received.
They also could not fully separate radiation exposure from factors such as jet lag and unusual work schedules.
Experts and a flight attendants’ union said the risk should be taken more seriously and measured more carefully.
Flight attendants had the highest share of radiation-related cancer deaths among more than 500 occupations studied.
Pilots ranked second, with flight attendants facing about 50% higher odds and pilots about 36% higher odds than the general working population.
About 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths involved radiation-related cancers, compared with 5% among other workers.
The study analyzed more than 12 million death certificates and included cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, skin, breast, thyroid and prostate cancer.
Researchers could not measure individual radiation exposure or fully account for occupation misclassification, jet lag and irregular schedules.
- Who
- Researchers led by Dr. Vishal Patel studied deaths among flight attendants, pilots and workers in more than 500 occupations; experts Catherine Olsen and Ken Karipidis reviewed the findings.
- What
- A study found unusually high proportions and odds of radiation-related cancer deaths among flight attendants and pilots.
- When
- The study was published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The study used national death-certificate data; the radiation exposure of concern occurs during high-altitude flights.
- Why
- Researchers examined whether greater exposure to cosmic radiation during frequent flying may be associated with cancer deaths.
Evidence of Occupational Risk
Study Limitations and Alternative Explanations
Radiation and cancer connection
Evidence of Occupational Risk
Flight attendants and pilots had elevated death rates for cancers tied to radiation exposure, while neither group had unusually high rates for cancers not tied to radiation, supporting the researchers’ radiation-exposure hypothesis.
Study Limitations and Alternative Explanations
The researchers did not know the amount of radiation received by individual workers and could not prove that radiation, rather than another factor, caused the observed deaths.
Need for monitoring
Evidence of Occupational Risk
Dr. Vishal Patel and Sara Nelson said the findings show that aircrew radiation exposure should be taken seriously, with Patel arguing that exposure cannot be managed if it is not measured.
Study Limitations and Alternative Explanations
The study authors acknowledged that death certificates may contain occupation errors and that jet lag, time-zone crossings and irregular schedules may also influence cancer risk.
Possible health precautions
Evidence of Occupational Risk
Catherine Olsen and Ken Karipidis said annual skin examinations may be appropriate for high-altitude flight workers and suggested earlier or more frequent mammograms for women in those jobs.
Study Limitations and Alternative Explanations
The commentary recommendations are precautionary; the study itself did not establish individual exposure levels or determine which specific screening schedule is necessary.
- Data analyzed
- More than 12 million death certificates containing occupation information.
- Occupations ranked highest
- Flight attendants ranked first and pilots second among more than 500 occupations for the share of radiation-related cancer deaths.
- Flight attendant odds
- About 50% higher than those of the general working population.
- Pilot odds
- About 36% higher than those of the general working population.
- Absolute risk measure
- Radiation-related cancers accounted for about 6.9% of flight attendant deaths, 6.7% of pilot deaths and 5% of deaths among the general working population.
- Cancers examined
- Leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the skin, breast, thyroid, prostate and central nervous system.
- Regulatory status
- The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledges aircrew exposure to ionizing radiation but does not set federal dose limits or require monitoring, according to the study authors.