Cosmic Radiation Exposure: A Review of Recent Research on the Incidence and Prevention of Cancer in Aircrews

Abstract The author provides a literature review examining the clinical risks of cosmic radiation exposure and incidence of cancer in aircrews including pilots, flight attendants, and flight engineers or navigators. The review focuses on ionizing radiation exposure in aircrews as an occupational working group. The author will discuss the types of cancer associated with cosmic ionizing radiation exposure and the prevalence of certain cancer types noted in this population. Monitoring of ionizing radiation of aircrews in the United States is not required in 2024, which makes assessing exposure a challenge. The author also discusses associated risk factors and prevention strategies in aircrews. United States aircrews are an occupational group with known elevated exposure to ionizing radiation from natural cosmic sources, which has been linked to health risks, particularly for cancer. This occupational group is not monitored in 2024 and would benefit from occupational exams for medical surveillance and hazard awareness.