"Flight Attendants Show Higher Cancer Risks" - Amy Norton
Flight attendants may face higher-than-average risks of breast and skin cancers, a new study finds -- though the reasons why aren't yet clear. Researchers found that compared with women in the general U.S. population, female flight attendants had a 51 percent higher rate of breast cancer. Meanwhile, their rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers were about two to four times higher, respectively. It’s possible that there are factors unrelated to flight attendant’s jobs, said Paolo Boffetta, MD, professor of medicine, oncological sciences, hematology and medical oncology, and associate director of population sciences at the Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “For example, they may have more UV sun exposure because of their opportunity to travel,” Dr. Boffetta, who was not involved in the study, added. In addition, he said women on air crews may put off having children or have fewer kids, compared with other women. And reproductive factors like that are associated with the risk of breast cancer.
- Paolo Boffetta, MD, Professor, Medicine, Oncological Sciences, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Associate Director, Population Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai