Melanoma

[Doug Taylor]

Hey Doc-

Is it true that pilots have a higher occurrence of melanoma than the non-flying population?

If so, are there any steps to prevent this beyond slathering ourselves in Hawaiian Topic every two hours? (and smelling like a pina colada?)

[frog_flyer]

I thougth all the neato jets had the UV reflective lenses?

Is there truth to this? Good quetsion doughg

[seagull]

I recall a study they did on Icelandic crews (flight and cabin) that showed a higher incidence.

The main problem with that, and all the similar studies, is that it is impossible to correlate flying with the higher rates. Crewmembers also have more daylight hours to be on the golf course or laying out by the hotel pool, or beach, than the average "9 to 5" type. Higher sun exposure comes from a lot of places.

I think the rate IS higher, but I also think that it is due to the total lifestyle, and not the flying per se.

[My Flight Surgeon]

There was an article in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 2000; 71:216-24 "Cancer Incidence and Mortality Among Flight Personnel: A Meta-Analysis" Ballard et al. It concludes that there were slight increased incidence of cancers of the brain and melanoma in male pilots, who also had an increased mortality risk from prostate and brain cancer. The risk of other types of cancer was lower in pilots. Female flight attendants had higher risks of melanoma and breast cancer. The cause for these findings is not clear since it is difficult to separate occupational exposures from routine exposures such as potential for more sun with increased access to travel and potentially increased leisure time.

I could find no other good information in the literature.