Increased Risk of Melanoma in Flight-Based Occupations
Airline pilots and cabin crew are occupationally exposed to higher levels of cosmic and ultraviolet radiation. In a meta-analysis reported in JAMA Dermatology, Sanlorenzo et al found that these people have a more than twofold greater risk of melanoma compared with the general population.
Increased Incidence
The meta-analysis included 19 studies (from 3,527 citations retrieved) including > 266,431 participants. Standardized incidence ratios for melanoma vs the general population were 2.21 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.76–2.77, P < .001; based on 14 studies) for participants in any flight-based occupation, 2.22 (95% CI = 1.67–2.93, P = .001; 12 studies) for pilots, and 2.09 (95% CI = 1.67–2.62, P = .45; 2 studies) for cabin crew.
Increased Mortality
The standardized mortality ratio for melanoma was 1.42 (95% CI = 0.89–2.26, P = .002; six studies) for participants in any flight-based occupation, 1.83 (95% CI = 1.27–2.63, P = .33; four studies) for pilots, and 0.90 (95% CI = 0.80–1.01, P = .97; two studies) for cabin crew.
The investigators concluded: “Pilots and cabin crew have approximately twice the incidence of melanoma compared with the general population. Further research on mechanisms and optimal occupational protection is needed.”
Susana Ortiz-Urda, MD, PhD, of University of California, San Francisco, is the corresponding author for the JAMA Dermatology article.
This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute, Melanoma Research Alliance, Dermatology Foundation, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The study authors reported no potential conflicts if interest.
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