Pilots And Airline Crews At Higher Risk For Melanoma
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We know that there has been an increase in the incidence of skin cancer and many have pointed to environmental changes as a key issue. There are many efforts to help with prevention of the problem by avoiding excessive exposure to UV rays.
Now comes a new report from the journal Dermatology which found that airline pilots and cabin crew may have an increased rate of melanoma.
Airline crew rates of melanoma and death from this cancer are more than twice that of the general population. The theory is that higher exposure to UV and cosmic radiation is greater because of the time they spend at higher altitudes.
Critics of the study agree it is a problem but they say this doesn't prove a cause.