Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Study Finds Aviation Workers Have High Radiation-Cancer Death Proportions
Researchers studied cancer deaths in more than 500 kinds of jobs in the United States.
They found that flight attendants had the highest share of deaths from radiation-related cancers.
Pilots had the second-highest share.
Airplanes fly high above the ground, where people may receive more radiation exposure.
The researchers think this exposure might be connected to the results.
However, the study does not prove that radiation caused the cancers.
It shows a possible health risk that needs more attention.
More research may be needed to understand the connection.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined radiation-related cancer deaths across more than 500 U.S. occupations.
Flight attendants had the highest proportion of deaths from radiation-related cancers among the occupations studied.
Pilots had the second-highest proportion of such deaths.
The findings suggest that radiation exposure at high altitudes could be an occupational health concern for aviation workers.
The study indicates a possible association but does not establish that high-altitude radiation caused the cancers.
- Who
- Flight attendants and pilots were the aviation workers highlighted in the study.
- What
- A study found that they had the highest and second-highest proportions of deaths from radiation-related cancers among more than 500 occupations.
- When
- The finding was reported in a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine; no publication date was provided.
- Where
- The study examined occupations in the United States.
- Why
- The researchers suggested that radiation exposure at high altitudes could be linked to the elevated proportions.
- Publication
- JAMA Internal Medicine
- Occupations studied
- More than 500 occupations in the United States
- Highest proportion
- Flight attendants
- Second-highest proportion
- Pilots
- Health issue
- Deaths from radiation-related cancers
- Possible exposure
- Radiation at high altitudes
- Evidence level
- The findings suggest a possible link but do not establish causation