Researchers led by Dr. Vishal Patel analyzed data on nearly 13 million deaths recorded between 2020 and 2024. The study covered representatives from 503 professions. It was found that the highest proportion of deaths from types of cancer that the researchers linked to possible radiation exposure was observed among **flight attendants and pilots**. ### Flight Attendants Ranked First According to the data presented in the study, such oncological diseases were reported in **6.9% of deceased flight attendants and 6.7% of pilots**. This was higher than the figures for workers in professions that are much more commonly associated with radiation exposure. In particular, nuclear industry specialists ranked only 12th. Among the oncological diseases more frequently encountered among flight crew members, researchers highlighted breast cancer and prostate cancer, central nervous system tumors, melanoma, and leukemia. ### The Cause May Lie at Altitude One possible explanation that scientists suggest is the occupational exposure to cosmic ionizing radiation. At cruising altitude, the atmosphere protects individuals from cosmic radiation less effectively than at the Earth's surface. Since pilots and flight attendants spend hundreds of hours in the air each year, their accumulated professional dose may be significantly higher than that of an ordinary passenger. According to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), crew members may receive about **3–6 millisieverts** of ionizing radiation annually. ### Scientists Call for Attention to Flight Crews The authors of the study believe that the results should prompt closer attention to the professional risks faced by airline employees. Co-author of the study, Professor Anupam Jena from Harvard Medical School, advocated for enhanced radiation protection measures for aviation workers. However, the statistical correlation found does not itself mean that cosmic radiation is the cause of all identified cancer cases. Oncological risks may be influenced by age, lifestyle, work duration, circadian rhythm disruptions, and other factors. Unexpectedly, the leaders of the study were not workers in the nuclear industry, but **flight attendants and pilots**. The results draw attention to a less obvious professional factor — long-term exposure to cosmic radiation during flights, but further research is needed to determine its exact contribution to cancer development.
